Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Crew Executes Dramatic Nighttime Rescue in Corio Bay
In a heart-stopping maritime emergency, five adults and two school-aged children were dramatically rescued from the waters of Corio Bay near Geelong on Sunday evening after their recreational ski boat capsized. The timely intervention by the crew of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferry, which was anchored nearby, proved crucial in saving all seven individuals from potential tragedy.
Emergency Unfolds in Darkness
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 8:20 PM on Sunday following reports of a capsized vessel in Corio Bay. The new Spirit of Tasmania ferry, which had been anchored while awaiting its berth readiness in Devonport, Tasmania, became an unexpected hero in the unfolding drama.
Skipper Martin Watts initially spotted what appeared to be two objects floating in the water. "We couldn't make out that they were people as such," Watts recounted. "By the time the rescue boat got there it was dark and we couldn't see anything in the water."
Race Against Time
Despite the challenging conditions, ferry crews launched rescue operations and eventually located all seven victims treading water beside their overturned boat. Another rescue boat was deployed to assist, and all individuals were successfully pulled from the chilly bay waters.
The Coast Guard subsequently transported the rescued group to shore, where paramedics were waiting to provide medical assessment and care. Watts described the survivors as being in shock and cold, but profoundly grateful for their rescue.
Medical Aftermath and Narrow Escape
Medical personnel assessed all seven individuals following the rescue. The two children and a man in his twenties were transported to Geelong University Public Hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition. The remaining four adults were fortunate enough to be discharged and sent home.
Watts emphasized the narrow margin of the successful rescue, stating, "Another 10 minutes and we wouldn't have found them. We would have lost sight of them from the ship and the guys in the rescue boat would have had a very difficult job finding them."
Vessel Recovery and Investigation
On Monday, recovery operations successfully retrieved the sunken ski boat from the water near the Alan Rinaldo Dias's Jetty. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maritime safety and the unpredictable nature of water-based recreation.
The dramatic rescue highlights the critical role that trained maritime personnel and well-equipped vessels can play in emergency situations, particularly when visibility is limited and time is of the essence.
