‘Lucky we were so close by’: club captain commends rescue team

POINT Lonsdale club captain Jess Robinson has praised the rescue team that responded to one of the biggest incidents she has seen in her surf life saving career.

A group of swimmers and kayakers were safely rescued about midday on Saturday, April 5, near Point Lonsdale Pier after being swept off course.

In a stroke of luck, club volunteers were conducting an inflatable rescue boat (IRB) training course at the back beach when the alert from Life Saving Victoria came following triple zero calls.

 

Faced with 2.4-metre heavy swells, strong winds and turning tides, the club’s IRBs returned an initial 7 of the swimmers and 2 kayakers before locating remaining swimmers.

“At that point, they were heading out the heads and into the open water,” Robinson told ABC 774.

She said it was hard to see the swimmers from the beach and commended IRB rescuers Will Gourlay, Gabby Hannan, Andrew Taylor and Jarred Munro for their communication and bravery.

“Being able to get out in those conditions was amazing,” she told the Bellarine Times.

“Those conditions were not something that everyone could get out in, let alone perform the rescues they performed.”

She also lauded the IRB trainees with her on the shore who helped collect resources and assisted when the rescue boats returned.

The rescue was completed in tandem with Queenscliff Marine Rescue, Southern Peninsula Marine Rescue, a sea pilots vessel, and multiple helicopters from emergency services.

With the school holidays coming up, Robinson said it was important for beach-goers to know their limits, check conditions and wear high-visibility swimwear.

She added it was important for ocean swimmers to swim close to the shore as it is typically more protected.