Crew members of the Sea Swift vessel Fourcroy have come to the rescue of a group of 16 people, including a 12-month-old, stranded on Cap Islet in the Torres Strait on 30 April. Photo: Supplied.
The crew of a Sea Swift vessel is being praised for coming to the rescue of a group of 16 people who became stranded on a remote Torres Strait beach earlier this week.
On 30 April, crew aboard the Fourcroy, which was mid-voyage in the region, received a call from water police advising a group of people, including young children, was stranded in poor conditions on Cap Islet, north-west of Yam Island.
After rerouting the vessel, the crew spotted the group and the small boats they had been travelling in, and dropped anchor on the north side of the islet.
Members of the crew swiftly boarded the rescue vessel with life vests, food and water, and headed for the beach.
After several trips to and from the islet in rainy, windy and cold conditions, the 16 stranded persons – which included five children, the youngest of whom was 12 months old – were taken into the Fourcroy’s mess hall, provided with food and water, and were comforted by the crew.
The group was returned safely to Yam Island and the Fourcroy continued on its voyage.
Sea Swift executive chairman Chris Pearce said the company was “immensely proud” of the crew, and the rapid actions of the Fourcroy’s master to reroute the vessel.
“The quick thinking of the master and his crew once they received the call at 5:30am [on 30 April] is a testament to the ability and depth of knowledge of the local area,’ he said.
“We are so proud of the crew and are glad the stranded group are now back safely ashore on Yam Island.”
Sea Swift crew members used their vessel’s rescue tender to make several trips to the beach on Cap Islet to bring the stranded group back to the Fourcroy. Photo: Supplied.
