Five
Indonesian fishermen were in plenty of trouble hundreds of miles
west of Darwin earlier this month.
Cyclone Fay had hit their sail powered 15-metre fishing boat and
caused plenty of damage.
The twister tore away their single mast and sail and damaged the
hull.
The craft then drifted out of control across the southern Timor
Sea towards Broome for several days.
The fishermen’s food was almost out when a patrolling Coastwatch
aircraft spotted the craft.
HMAS Dubbo with LCDR Richard James in command was told of the
boat and made his way towards the vessel.
LCDR James and his ship’s company found the boat, the Manung
Raelewo, 330 nautical miles west of Darwin.
After ensuring the safety and well being of the five occupants,
Dubbo took the boat in tow and headed back towards the coast.
She later made a rendezvous with HMAS Wollongong, (LCDR Steve
Thompson) who took over the tow.
Wollongong took the boat to Broome where the relieved fishermen
were handed over Department of Immigration staff.
