Streaker
12-06-2012, 01:02 PM
We travelled to Agnes Waters arriving Monday afternoon 4/06/12 there were 4 of us and the Scam (6.5 metre AMM).
Conditions were looking fair on Tuesday 10 to 15's so decided on a trip to the Warregals. shortly after arrive Bear was on to nice fis,h a good trout that weigh in at 7.5 kilos gutted and gilled. The tally was increasing as was the wind, pulled the pin about 2pm with a few nice trout, parrot and husser on board.
Wednesday morning saw us heading to the Fitzroy area we decided to check a few points on the way out, found some good bait grounds and helped ourselves to a supply of slimies and yakkas. while checking out a spot we cruised over what seemed to be some very productive ground about 18 klms from fitzroy, baits down and we are on to trout, red emperor, cod, RTE and the husser were coming over 2 at a time on the bait jig. Tony (owner/skipper) landed a very nice half a red emperor, then the grey suits moved in. I hooked up 3 times on them as we were being harrassed by an inquisitive dolphin fish. I suggested that Tony drop a pilly near him and see what happens, I allowed him 5 minutes before I was moving the boat. About 60 seconds later there was a nice dolly sitting in the kill tank. Began heading back in at about 3.30pm THEN:'( it happened a strange noise from the rear of the boat, the skipper dropped the revs back and I was on the radio to VMR Round Hill to advise them of a later ETA. Shortly after there was deep bang nosie low in the motor and we new that our trip had come to and abrupt end, back on the radio ane VMR were dispatched.
VMR arrived at about 5.20 pm just before sundown then they enlighted us on where the tow rope had to be attached to the boat, apparently they have to attach to the winching point or run the risk of pulling the towed boat under. For those that are unfamiliar with the Masters Marine design the winch point is a long way from the bow of the boat. After a short vote it was decided that I :o would be the one to be unceremoniacley lowered by the ankles off the bow of the boat.Being handed a shakle that was too large for the hole I managed to get it stuck and could not remove it, another shakle was passed over and after numerous attempts and a few good dunkings head first into salt water which seen me rise out of the water spewing and spitting I admitted defeat. there were only to options left the skipper would try to attach the shakle while we hung onto his legs or the second was"someone had to go into the water" another vote that I would of lost.
Darkness was now upon us and the lights were turned on on the rescue boat, Tony was lowerer over and after what seemed an eternity, Tony's arms were raised in the air: - 2 thoughts passed my mind at this stage how cold is that water and I hope that the grey suits have moved on, thank god I was wrong Tony had managed to seecure the tow line.
I cannot thank enough the quick response of VMR and there professional approach to giving assistance to those that need it.
To end the story a good trip, great accomadation and we will return in the future. This post will however lead to 2 other post
1) gather information on a replacement motor
2) the importance that all off shore boats be fitted with a STROP line, I hope that I have spelt this right. A strop line is a shackled piece of thick rope attached from the winch point to the front handrail, incase we ever requie a tow again. In the words of VMR the attaching of a tow rope is very dangerous and we we fortunate that there was only about a 10 knot wind and small seas at the time
Wayne
Conditions were looking fair on Tuesday 10 to 15's so decided on a trip to the Warregals. shortly after arrive Bear was on to nice fis,h a good trout that weigh in at 7.5 kilos gutted and gilled. The tally was increasing as was the wind, pulled the pin about 2pm with a few nice trout, parrot and husser on board.
Wednesday morning saw us heading to the Fitzroy area we decided to check a few points on the way out, found some good bait grounds and helped ourselves to a supply of slimies and yakkas. while checking out a spot we cruised over what seemed to be some very productive ground about 18 klms from fitzroy, baits down and we are on to trout, red emperor, cod, RTE and the husser were coming over 2 at a time on the bait jig. Tony (owner/skipper) landed a very nice half a red emperor, then the grey suits moved in. I hooked up 3 times on them as we were being harrassed by an inquisitive dolphin fish. I suggested that Tony drop a pilly near him and see what happens, I allowed him 5 minutes before I was moving the boat. About 60 seconds later there was a nice dolly sitting in the kill tank. Began heading back in at about 3.30pm THEN:'( it happened a strange noise from the rear of the boat, the skipper dropped the revs back and I was on the radio to VMR Round Hill to advise them of a later ETA. Shortly after there was deep bang nosie low in the motor and we new that our trip had come to and abrupt end, back on the radio ane VMR were dispatched.
VMR arrived at about 5.20 pm just before sundown then they enlighted us on where the tow rope had to be attached to the boat, apparently they have to attach to the winching point or run the risk of pulling the towed boat under. For those that are unfamiliar with the Masters Marine design the winch point is a long way from the bow of the boat. After a short vote it was decided that I :o would be the one to be unceremoniacley lowered by the ankles off the bow of the boat.Being handed a shakle that was too large for the hole I managed to get it stuck and could not remove it, another shakle was passed over and after numerous attempts and a few good dunkings head first into salt water which seen me rise out of the water spewing and spitting I admitted defeat. there were only to options left the skipper would try to attach the shakle while we hung onto his legs or the second was"someone had to go into the water" another vote that I would of lost.
Darkness was now upon us and the lights were turned on on the rescue boat, Tony was lowerer over and after what seemed an eternity, Tony's arms were raised in the air: - 2 thoughts passed my mind at this stage how cold is that water and I hope that the grey suits have moved on, thank god I was wrong Tony had managed to seecure the tow line.
I cannot thank enough the quick response of VMR and there professional approach to giving assistance to those that need it.
To end the story a good trip, great accomadation and we will return in the future. This post will however lead to 2 other post
1) gather information on a replacement motor
2) the importance that all off shore boats be fitted with a STROP line, I hope that I have spelt this right. A strop line is a shackled piece of thick rope attached from the winch point to the front handrail, incase we ever requie a tow again. In the words of VMR the attaching of a tow rope is very dangerous and we we fortunate that there was only about a 10 knot wind and small seas at the time
Wayne