Albany Sea Rescue president says ocean rescue off Eclipse Island a reminder to all about boating safety

Last week’s dramatic ocean rescue near Eclipse Island has prompted the president of Albany Sea Rescue to remind those hitting the water to take important steps to stay away from trouble. Albany Sea Rescue president Colin Bairstow says lifejackets helped save the lives of three men who were clinging to an esky after their boat capsized and sank in a 4m swell off the coast of Albany on February 1. A successful rescue operation retrieved the men from the sea near Eclipse Island after trouble struck on their fishing trip in a recently purchased vessel. Australian Maritime Safety Authority released a video of the men, wearing lifejackets in the water as they held on to a floating esky and waving an EPIRB, before they were rescued. Mr Bairstow said the personal floating devices were a critical part of the group getting out of the water alive. “Lifejackets were their saving grace,” he said. “Without them, they could have been in real trouble. “The guys did the right thing, they set off the EPIRB and got lifejackets on and they also huddled together as it’s much easier to find a group of people. “The end result was really good, there is no doubt about that.” Mr Bairstow said activating the EPIRB gave authorities an exact location for the group. “The new EPIRBs have a GPS in them and give us the location straight away,” he said. “Usually we have trouble during the week getting crew but we got some guys together and got around there quickly considering the conditions. “That is four lives we have saved in the last few weeks after the rescue of the paraglider off Sharp Point.” Mr Bairstow said being sure to have the right safety equipment and logging on via radio with local sea rescue were key to any deep sea trip. “They hadn’t logged on with us,” Mr Bairstow said. “It is critical people log on with Sea Rescue, we monitor it 7am to 5pm at the moment and if people don’t log out that triggers the start of a procedure for us. “Divers are especially important to log on with us, because they are already in the water. “Check your boat and your safety gear regularly. “I also think not knowing the local conditions was a factor. Our weather conditions are very unpredictable at times, wind and sea state are important especially if waves start cracking on the top of swell. “Things happen so fast, you get freak waves and you just need to be aware and if things aren’t right or are changing, act on it before something happens.”