FOUR crew of the scallop fishing vessel Anmaropa were rescued and taken to St Helens today. The Anmaropa was loaded with scallops and overturned on the St Helens barway in heavy seas.

The Anmanaropa requested an escort across the barway at 8AM this morning and our rescue vessel Break O’Day was on its way to the barway when the capsize occurred. We arrived at the scene some time after 8am to find two crew clinging to the overturned hull of the boat, with waves breaking over it. Two crew were still trapped in the wheel house.

Two men received immediate medical attention when brought back to land at Akaroa, outside St Helens, for shock and exposure and minor lacerations.

Mariners are reminded that the St Helens Barway is notoriously dangerous, particularly at low tide and in heavy surf, and many lives have been lost here over the years. We recommend skippers wait for better conditions if possible rather than put lives at risk.

Read the full report by Matt Maloney in The Examiner.

Tasmanian Government Press Release
David Llewellyn, Member for Lyons, today presented the St Helens Marine Rescue Association of Tasmania with the recently decommissioned Police Vessel, Freycinet.

“Although the Freycinet is 29 years old, it has been meticulously maintained and will greatly enhance the St Helens Marine Rescue Association’s capabilities and ongoing operations,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“The Freycinet will expand the rescue capabilities of the group with its range of 500 nautical miles, radar and an array of navigational equipment.

“I am pleased that this hard-working group of volunteers is able to take on such a reliable and sturdy vessel. It should provide years of service.

“The St Helens Marine Rescue Association is to be congratulated for its dedication to the safety and security of the maritime community.”

The Freycinet will provide the St Helens Marine Rescue Association with a rescue vessel that has greater capabilities and operating range than its former vessel, the Sea Guardian. It was originally part of the former Tasmania Fisheries Development Authority and was transferred to Tasmania Police in 1985.

Further information: Tasmanian Government Communications Unit