KOTA JAYA

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Kota Jaya involved in rescue operation for stricken catamaran

A couple from a stricken sailing catamaran that had struggled through heavy seas and ran aground on a remote part of the Victorian Coast were flown to safety by helicopter in the night of May 14, 2012, in a joint rescue operation involving Marine Rescue NSW, Victorian Police and the "Kota Jaya". The Marine Rescue Eden received an urgent radio call from the vessel acting as a relay for the catamaran, floundering south of Eden near Wingan Inlet in Victoria. The catamaran had been broadcasting emergency calls on Channel 16 since 4 a.m. on MAy 13 but received no response. The stricken vessel’s position had prevented its direct transmissions being received by either of the two nearest Victorian Volunteer Coast Guard radio stations at Mallacoota and Paynesville. When alerted by the merchant vessel, Marine Rescue Eden contacted NSW Police Force Marine Area Command in Sydney, which contacted Victorian Water Police. Marine Rescue Eden, relaying through the "Kota Jaya" then made contact with the catamaran on Channel 81, a VHF repeater channel on Mt Imlay near Eden, to reassure the couple that help was on the way. Gabo Island Lighthouse also was alerted to the emergency and monitored the channel as well. With the vessel in an inaccessible part of the coastline and out of mobile telephone range, the couple also asked Marine Rescue Eden to alert relatives and friends awaiting the vessel’s arrival in Eden. A member of Victorian Police from Mallacoota reached the pair after a lengthy drive followed by an hour’s hike to the coast. Victorian Water Police coordinated a helicopter rescue flight to the nearby beach and the catamaran was secured for later recovery.