By Margaret Maccoll
Coast Guard Noosa came to the rescue of two boats that had overturned on Noosa Bar Crossing on Sunday 5 November.
Coast Guard spokesman Dave Gillies said at 2am fishermen on Noosa North Shore alerted Coast Guard to an overturned boat and three people in the water being washed out through the bar.
“John Waddams left Munna with Coast Guard crew and collected the people, bringing them safely back to shore,” he said.
“Low water over the bar had prevented the boat from crossing.”
Later that morning, the Coast Guard boat was able to cross the bar when the tide had risen. The boat was located and towed back to base at Munna Point where the owner reclaimed his damaged boat.
Again at 2.30pm, the Coast Guard responded to a call for help from an overturned boat that tipped in shallow water as it attempted to cross the bar.
The two occupants of the boat managed to walk to shore, and were picked up by John Waddams Coast Guard vessel and delivered to base.
Arrangements were made with the owner for the Coast Guard to retrieve the boat early Monday morning. Dave said these incidents showed how dangerous the bar could be.
“All boaties need to take extreme care while crossing the Noosa Bar,” he said.