August 3, 2026

A Day Trip Up The Channel Goes Wrong

The fibreglass runabout and JJ made it safely back to Dungeness. Photo credit: QF-14 Coast Guard

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Two locals took their recently serviced fibreglass runabout for a cruise up the Hinchinbrook Channel this week but only got as far as Haycock Island before the motor gave up the ghost. A quick call to Lucinda Coast Guard was made before they dropped anchor and waited for help.

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A crew of two volunteers launched our secondary vessel, JJ, and headed over the bar on a dropping tide, well aware of the need to get back over it before they ran out of water.

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After a 10-minute trip, the distressed vessel was sighted, a towline attached, and the return journey commenced.

Both vessels made it safely back over the sandbar and returned to the ramp at Dungeness without incident.

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Any time you head out on the water, things can, and often do, go wrong. A fully charged phone and our Bat-phone number (0429 778 110) are essential to have with you.

Stay safe on the water.

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(With thanks to the QF-14 Coast Guard and Commander Steve Whipps)

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