The man who sparked a massive water search off Bribie Island after a simple blunder later secured his own rescue with a genius decision.
After falling off the stern of his boat while trying to better secure his tender almost 4km offshore, David Simpson swam about 1km to a navigation beacon where he tried waving at passing ships to get attention.
When this failed, night fell and three or four hours passed, the 64-year-old from Mooloolaba had a lightbulb moment.
The MacGyver of the high seas started using his hands to cover the light beacon to signal Morse Code to ships in the area.
In the meantime, a widespread search had been initiated after a 14m motor cruiser with only a dog aboard ran aground near Caloundra.
Ships were put on alert by Brisbane Vessel Traffic Services after they were notified by Sunshine Coast Water Police.
Senior Constable Mark Muddiman told sunshinecoastnews.com.au that the man’s decision to attempt the Morse Code trick was very clever indeed.
Sen Const Muddiman said a few ships had gone passed and not seen him, so he had decided to get the code idea going with his hands on and off the light.
He said the North West Six beacon was 4km off the middle of Bribie Island.
“The man had tripped and fallen into the water after trying to strap his tender down in rough conditions.
“He was in the water watching his boat on autopilot move off at 8 knots.’’
Sen Const Muddiman said the man had been travelling from North Stradbroke Island to Mooloolaba when the mishap occurred.
He said he told police he had also damaged his ribs in the fall and weighed whether to swim for land – about 4km away – or make for the beacon.
“He didn’t like his chances with regard to sharks if he attempted the longer distance. The man did very well to swim to the beacon, which was still a considerable effort. He’s obviously pretty fit for his age.
“We and the Coast Guard got to him, fished him out and brought him back to Mooloolaba where some mates picked him up.
“It was a fantastic outcome and could have been a lot worse. All the agencies, including the volunteer Coast Guard and lifeguards, were brilliant and worked together to achieve this great result.’’
Police said a marine incident report would be prepared and the matter investigated.
The man was not wearing a life jacket and boaties were reminded to wear the correct safety equipment, particularly when solo.
Mr Simpson told the Today Show he was flung into the water when a strong wave hit.
“The wave hit the side of the boat and I was trying to secure the dinghy which had come a little bit adrift and a rope broke holding the dinghy,” he said.
“The dinghy hit me, my ribs and I fell about 2.5, 3m, off the boat.”
Meanwhile, the dog that washed ashore with the man’s vessel near Caloundra was taken home by lifeguard Corey Jones, who kept it overnight and said the pair had bonded.
The dog is being reunited with his owner.
EARLIER:
A strange sighting reported by the crew of a passing ship led to the rescue of a man after his boat ran aground at Caloundra with no-one on board.
It’s understood a crew member of a ship travelling in a nearby shipping channel spotted a man standing on top of a navigation beacon off Bribie Island.
The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter was tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority at 6.15pm Tuesday and worked with Queensland Police, Coast Guard and Surf Life Saving Queensland.
The rescue chopper flew to the beacon and hovered over the man, keeping a light on him, while waiting for Coast Guard and QPS boats to arrive.
The man, aged 64, was taken on board and transported safely to land.
Earlier, lifeguards on duty at a nearby beach spotted an erratic un-manned vessel about 4pm on Tuesday off the northern tip of Bribie Island.
Other than a dog, that man was the only person who had been on the boat before he was believed to have fallen off, police media said.
It’s understood the man swam to the beacon after falling out of the boat.
An air and sea search involving lifeguards, water police and the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service continued for several hours before the man was located.
Water Police were on Tuesday night attempting to remove the stricken vessel from the sandbar.
Sunshine Coast lifeguard supervisor Rhys Drury said lifeguards boarded the boat about 4pm and discovered there was nobody driving it.
“They conducted a search of the vessel and no one was located on board,” he said.
“Lifeguards on jet skis and the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter have spent the afternoon searching waters off Bribie Island.”
Lifeguards and the @Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter have spent the afternoon searching waters off #BribieIsland after a boat ran aground.
Lifeguards at a nearby beach noticed the boat just after 4pm. They conducted a search of the vessel and no one was located on board. pic.twitter.com/jXT7Xa7tJ8
— Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) (@lifesavingqld) December 29, 2020
Other emergency services including Queensland Water Police and Coast Guard were involved in the search.
