Two kayakers from Townsville were extremely fortunate not to lose their lives.
Another reminder to have the appropriate safety gear
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/ne ... c9d8f09323

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TWO young kayakers spent 11 hours in crocodile and shark-infested waters after their vessel was swamped between Lucinda and Pelorus Island.

Water filled the vessel manned by 19-year-old Grace Thong and 20-year-old Brock Hawke about 1pm on Saturday when they were well short of Pelorus Island.

They abandoned the kayak and Ms Thong wore the only lifejacket on board as the couple trod water, trying to make land.

Battling through a strong current and winds, they made for the jetty at Lucinda but missed it by 200m, and were carried further out to sea.

They went on to endure another 11 hours in the water until about midnight when, by chance, they washed up on rocks at Hinchinbrook Island.

Meanwhile, the alert was raised about 5.30pm on Saturday that the two kayakers were overdue.

Senior Constable Nick Swan, from Townsville Water Police, said that sparked a massive air and sea search operation.

The search was hampered by difficult weather conditions which included 45km/h winds and 3m seas. It was called off at 1am, to start again at first light.

The duo were eventually found thanks to a methodical search method by the crew of Townsville Volunteer Coast Guard.

Coxswain Michael Dunkley led the expedition and began searching the stretch between Lucinda and Pelorus Island, working north because of the southerly wind.

A fortuitous encounter with Mr Hawke’s brother, who was also searching for the couple, provided information about the duo.

Water Police then advised the Coast Guard to check the coast of Hinchinbrook Island and the crew searched near George Point.

“We had to launch our zodiac vessel because of the shallow water,” Coxswain Dunkley said.


Two of the crew volunteered to brave the rough water. Within 20 minutes they sighted the missing couple but were unable to land because of the weather.

The Coast Guard radioed the Water Police and the Queensland Government Air Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the island at 9.30am. By 10am they were at Ingham Hospital where they were treated for minor abrasions and dehydration. Hospital staff confirmed yesterday they were in a stable condition.

Queensland Government Air Rescue Helicopter senior aircrew officer Dan Hoare said it was a positive outcome after the helicopter conducted two unsuccessful search sorties the night before.

The Bulletin understands the couple were advised not to attempt the expedition because of the bad weather.

Sen-Constable Swan said the duo had a lucky escape.

“At the end of the day this is a good outcome that we’ve located them but it could have quite easily ended up in death or serious injury,” he said.

He said the rescue highlighted the need for people to check weather conditions and carry emergency equipment during voyages.

“They probably should not have gone out in those weather conditions, especially without an emergency beacon like an EPIRB,” he said. “It’s not a legal requirement on a kayak but it is your responsibility to make sure you travel safely.”

Ms Thong and Mr Hawke declined to comment.

Can't under-estimate the value of emergency beacons; speaking of which, we added a Kti GPS EPIRB to the prize pool for NSC today (shameless plug)
Hi fives for great segways

"The Bulletin understands the couple were advised not to attempt the expedition because of the bad weather"



Go out without the proper safety gear then make others risk their life trying to save you.. should have been a Darwin award here by the sound of it.