Few guys making the most of a disappointing breeze at Green Point about lunchtime when a cop car, 2 ambulances, life savers from Dendy St beach and Hampton Beach all came to the the rescue of______? Anyone know the end of the story?
They seemed to focus on the windsurfers but they were ok. One even had his own mobile out with him. Great to see the coordinated response though.
Hopefully nobody was missing at the end of the day.
I don’t the full story, but I believe someone mistakenly took a windsurfer with no wind on short board as someone drowning. The person who was most likely the one they were looking for, came in and asked what all the fuss was.
I was there. The boys in blue had parked the car for a donut break at Green Pt when a member of the public phoned about a guy "drowning". It was actually one of the guys sailing who was becalmed about 100m off the beach and had to swim in. He was safe on the beach by the time they arrived so they wrote down his name. Nice to know they can be there when you need them but I'm not sure they would have been much help in full uniform, boots, guns etc!
It's handy to know they can act promptly when called. As a recent member of the SES, I know that these types of call-outs contribute to training for when an 'actual' emergency is called in, so don't hesitate to make that call...that's what these guys are there for.
Might need to accidentally drop the ladder & basket stretcher off the roof & load a few other items on the way past home too!
Just heard about from a windsurfing mate that this is discussed on the forum.
The windsurfer on the short board reported as 'drowning' may have been me.
I went out in what seemed about 18 kts with a forecast only getting stronger. First got on the plane ok thinking this is not too bad. About 1.2 k's out in the bay on my first run, someone turned the wind down and then completely off. Trying to get back (no chance uphauling, waterstart only), got on the board very rarely and only when a gust was able to pull me on occasionally only to have the wind die on me to fall in the drink again. So lots a swimming in between. Arrived at the point where I started after a 200m walk of shame when a cop approached me (thought hmmm is there a new no boating zone, car broken into or why am I in trouble?). He asked if I'm ok (I said yes, why not), he said two ambulances are waiting to check me out and the marine police is on it's way. I said WHAT?? He said someone rang and must have thought I'm drowning so when I arrived at the lookout there were two ambos, cops and spectators all over the place and two lifesaver rubber dingies searched the area.
Thanked the cops & ambos anyway for coming out, so I guess they had their drill for the day. They told me a helicopter was just called off (now that would have been really embarrassing!). As already suggested hopefully nobody else was in real trouble. I was just fine (apart from the bruised ego and the disappointing forecast).
I can so see this happening. Almost everytime the wind dies on my on my small board at Mornington, because of all the cars that park there for lunch and stuff, within 20mins a boat will be sent out to save me. While it is appreciated, I am usually only 200-300metres off shore in in super calm conditions. It gets to the point where a pray for wind just so I can get up before they send out a boat.
The ironic thing is when I am at the same place is crazy conditions and something has broken or in one case my mastfoot came undone and it took every ounce of energy I had to catch my board, I never get assistance.
I think the average untrained onlooker sees a windurfer floating in the water as a drowning person. Almost need a signal flag to let people know you're ok.
Thanks ddevil, will be watching out for the next edition, in the last one on page 3 there were only German backpackers mentioned setting up camp at Greenpoint. Looks the Krauts are taking over media attention!
I did my part in Jan with 2 seconds on ABC news .
