International Rescue

Despite my and frankly Matt's reputation for maritime mayhem and carnage, recently its not been us that needs rescueing.

One of my favourite T-Shirts headed for hospital on Wednesday night, with blood showing after one of the crew of a beneteau 57 just ahead of us in the Wednesday evening race out of CYCA got caught by the boom in a acedental gybe and knocked over board.

We picked him up, put him in a clean T-Shirt and took him ashore, one of his mates was seen taking him off in a car. Hope he's OK he was a bit in shock when we fished him out of the drink.

On Sunday, having survived a Southerly Buster as the southerly change is known by the local sailing community. Which resulted in some frankly balistic speeds in a boat that "Never Planes". When I say planes that's when the hull breaks free and skims allong the surface - like a sufboard down a wave. Matt's boat, The Grip has only done it, without wave assistance twice. Last time it required a large spinnaker. Sunday we did it with white sail.

Mind you we had to swap jobs, all weight went on the rail I took over he main cos other Tom had to act as power assited steering two man tiller loads.

Windy, YES.

So windy when we returned to the mooring we noticed a small boat, maybe 27ft floating somewhere odd near Clarke Island nose heavy. No sign of anyone onboard. Sane people were all in pubs.

Matt's boat having been heeled to 20 degrees by the wind on the bare mast I susgested rather than rescue it ourselves we call it in.

Before the radio call was even complete the NSW Police boat came hammering down the harbour lights blazing at about 30kns. The call was delayed because VMR* Sydney now call them selves Sydney Rescue or some such and insited on correcting us even after they'd alread answered the other call sign.

We suspect the boat was nose down beacuse its mooring was still attached. Moorings are usually a lump of concrete (in Tonga the one we were on was a fridge freeze full of cement) on the bottom with a rope tied to them. The Policeman fiddling  on the bow and the  nose down would support the theory. Anyway they towed it away.

So one boat rescue organised and one bloke fished out of the drink is a pretty good rechord for this week.

* Volunteer Marine Rescue - yes we have met...