"three lives saved"

[seakar]

“Three lives were saved”
Epirbs and thair undoing. (similar to PLBs’)
The people onboard the vessel Merlo had their Epirb (emergency position indicating radio beacon) smashed to bits by their fridge as they ran aground, on the north end of Waterhouse Island, 11/06/2010 1800. following this they set of a flair which got blown across the island setting the Maren Grass alight. The fire became extensive. Approx. (500mx2000m) of the island damaged.
Coast radio Tamar spoke with Merlo only 15 minutes before, who were making enquires about anchoring at Waterhouse Is. The suggestion was made they contact the vessel Emily who was known to be anchored in the area. This is how Emily and her three crew got involved. Some of their conversation sounded stressed and other parts normal, we were unaware they were in difficulty. Waiting for the vessel to come into sight around the east side of the Island, time ticked on, then a red rocket flair went up “oh dear” not a nice night for a situation (bass straight just had three days of thirty knot north-westerly on it.)
We tried raising them on the radio with no reply making more observations, we reported the flair to coast radio Tamar. Who i have to say at this stage in this dialogue, are the savour of the crew on Merlo and the work of one man must be commended for coordinating the rescue. We also reported their vessel could be on fire. As there was smoke billowing out around the island and an orange red glow.
Activating ourselves we upped anchor to go and investigate, encouraged by coast radio. Twenty minutes later we reported the island was on fire and a sighting of two men keeping warm beside it. There was three people on board so with some concern and comments amongst ourselves of how long could you survive in the water and why have we not seen any helicopters yet? We returned to our anchorage. And activated a shore party for the two km. walk to the north end of the island. With more encouragement from coast radio Tamar and plans made to report on their numbers and condition asap.
Lucky we had Landed on, and explored the Island during that day. So off we went again and in another twenty minutes we reported three people in sight. On making contact we found they were cold and in some state of shock however ok. More consultation commenced and a plan emerged. We encouraged the three away from their warm fire for the walk back to our landing and a ferrying out to Emily were they would be picked up by a launch arriving from Bridport.

[ILUVSWTAS]

What a remarkable story.

[north-north-west]

Flare.

[flyfisher]

Think they did show a bit of flair.
ff

[iandsmith]

Yes, it is an interesting story. Would have been fascinating to be out there doing the resuing though. A nautical situation I'll never find myself in!
Cheers.