Key Takeaways
- Two holidaymakers, a 51-year-old woman and her 17-year-old stepson, were rescued after a three-hour ordeal in cold waters south-west of Melbourne on Christmas Day.
- The pair had been swept away in choppy conditions, including strong south-westerly winds, and were found clinging to their paddleboards about 10 kilometers from where they had set off.
- They did not have life jackets, and it was considered "extremely lucky" that they managed to keep hold of their boards to stay afloat.
- The rescue was one of the more challenging ones, with crashing swell and poor visibility, but the police helicopter’s advanced technology and the decisive action of the rescue team led to their survival.
- The incident highlights the importance of safety gear, including life jackets, and constant awareness when engaging in water activities.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident occurred on Christmas Day, when a 51-year-old woman and her 17-year-old stepson set out from a Portarlington caravan park jetty on new paddleboards they had just received as gifts. The pair had been enjoying their new equipment, but their fun was short-lived as they were swept away in the choppy conditions, including strong south-westerly winds reaching up to 35 knots. A family member raised the alarm when the pair had not returned two hours later, prompting a large-scale search involving the police chopper, water police boats, the Queenscliff volunteer coastguard, and a Surf Lifesaving Victoria rescue helicopter.
The Search and Rescue Efforts
The search area was quite large, given the time frames and the distance someone could move in those sorts of conditions. The police air wing played a crucial role in the search, spotting the pair about 6:20 pm, clinging to their paddleboards with their arms linked about 10 kilometers from where they had set off. The police helicopter maintained observations of the persons in distress, dropped some smoke to mark their position, and guided a police vessel to their location, safely rescuing them. The pair had drifted for three hours in rough conditions on Port Phillip on a cold Christmas day, and it was considered a miracle that they survived.
The Condition of the Rescued Pair
After being rescued, the pair was checked by paramedics and showed some signs of mild hypothermia, but they did not need to go to hospital. The water temperature was about 17 degrees, and they certainly weren’t equipped for that environment or those conditions. Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Quirk said that the pair did not have life jackets, and it was "extremely lucky" that they managed to keep hold of their boards to stay afloat. If they were separated from their boards, it would have been very different, and their lives were likely saved by the fact that they were able to stay together and cling to their paddleboards.
Reflections on the Incident
The incident was one of the more challenging rescues that Acting Senior Sergeant Quirk has been involved in. The conditions were rough, with crashing swell and poor visibility, but the police helicopter’s advanced technology and the decisive action of the rescue team led to the survival of the pair. The mother and stepson released a statement thanking all those involved in saving their lives, saying that they were grateful for the outcome but still trying to come to terms with how quickly a beautiful, carefree afternoon turned into an almost tragedy. They acknowledged that the decisive and quick action led not only to their rescue but also to their survival.
Other Rescues on Christmas Day
The mother and stepson were not the only ones who were rescued on Christmas Day. Three kayakers were dramatically winched to safety after they drifted out to sea off the Bass Coast on Thursday. The three women had to be rescued from choppy waters near Corinella, near Phillip Island, on Melbourne’s south-east. All three women were wearing life jackets, which likely saved their lives. An overdue kayaker was also found after a long search at Paynesville on Victoria’s east coast. Acting Senior Sergeant Quirk encouraged people to make sure they have all the safety gear, including life jackets, and to be aware of the conditions and take necessary precautions when engaging in water activities.
Conclusion and Safety Reminder
The incident highlights the importance of safety gear, including life jackets, and constant awareness when engaging in water activities. The mother and stepson were lucky to have survived, and their ordeal serves as a reminder to others to take necessary precautions when enjoying the water. Acting Senior Sergeant Quirk’s message to the public is to always be prepared and to take safety seriously, as conditions can change quickly, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. By being aware of the risks and taking necessary precautions, people can enjoy the water safely and avoid such close calls.