Victoria Stone-Meadows

A Mossman fisherman was dramatically rescued from the water near Green Island last week after his boat broke down.

At around 12.30pm on Monday, 27 May, the Cairns Coast Guard called Marine Rescue Port Douglas to advise that a nine-metre fishing trawler had broken down - a long way from Port Douglas.

The boat was not able to respond to the Coast Guard and neither could the Water Police and they couldn’t raise any other boats in the area. 

MRPD President, Ross Wood, said it was luck the man was able to take advantage of the group’s tow-in service.

“It turned out the owner was a paid member of MRPD so we assembled a team and headed off on a 70km journey south,” he said.

“By mid-afternoon, the tow was secured and we proceeded 35km to Cairns Harbour.

“Returning the trawler to its mooring our team headed home at a brisk pace with following seas to return home just after 8.00pm – a seven hour trip in all.”

Tow-ins are usually charged by the hour and would have normally cost the owner around $1,000 – but because of his $90/yr membership, there was no additional charge.

Douglas Shire boaties can sign up for MRPD membership on the Marine Rescue Port Douglas website.