Search & rescue, Torres Strait: Two 25-year-old men came in for criticism from their rescuers yesterday following a poorly executed sea kayaking adventure. The pair had planned to paddle their craft through the Torres Strait from Punsand Bay on Cape York, across to Papua New Guinea and return. Thursday Island Water Police had spoken with the men and advised them not to undertake the crossing due to strong currents and weather conditions. Police from Bamaga also spoke with them on Monday and urged them not to attempt the voyage due to deteriorating weather conditions and risk to their safety. The men decided to attempt the crossing and departed Punsand Bay early yesterday morning. Water Police received a distress call at around 9.45am that the pair were in difficulties about seven nautical miles into the journey and were being swept westerly at about three knots per hour in very rough seas. Thursday Island Water Police deployed their rescue vessel and located the pair at about 11.30am. Officers dealt with 30 knot winds and three metre swells ahead of a storm front to rescue the two men and their craft. Neither of the men was injured or required any medical treatment from their ordeal and they were transported safely back to Punsand Bay. Torres Strait Patrol Inspector Dave Lacey said that it was difficult to understand what possessed the men to undertake the journey, “Police had spoken with the men on three separate occasions and urged them in the strongest possible terms not to attempt this journey. People undertaking these types of adventures really need to heed the advice of local residents because nothing beats local knowledge and experience. “Thursday Island Water Police have the experience gained through literally thousands of search and rescue operations, yet it would seem that their best advice has apparently fallen on deaf ears on this occasion”, Inspector Lacey said.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 00:26:07 +0000
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