Started reading this article & couldn't believe the errors in judgement.

Got to admire his optimism though.

www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/adventure-short-lived/2456360/

It's given me food for thought:

If my car ever breaks down or runs out of fuel, I'll try tying a moped to the back door.

You never know!

He was taken to the Gladstone hospital for observation. I hope they did a drug, alcohol and mental check.

conditions in Satue Bay

Not sure what we are discussing here. If it's the old bloke buying a boat and not listening to advice it happens all the time. If it's Dads army towing the boat with the wrong sort of boat and not using a weight in the middle of the tow line then that's common too!

Justa Gipsy was a good buy though at $1700.

sure you nearly righ.
let me clarify
we always watching hull speed...don't recall single tow, not accomodate correct hull speed.
that video from my mobil....forward speed ....zero....guy is about to drop an anchor
we never use weight on tow line

SirJman said..
I don't see why certain members on this forum give the volunteer rescue services such a hard time. Heaven forbid you may one day require their services one day.

Cisco/Ramona re. the three second video...
-Adding a weight in a tow line is not required, keeping appropriate line length and HP is. One less projectile.
-That boat is not being towed at 7knots or 20knots, it looks stationary or idling forward, thus the heavy action of the tow line in rough seas. I'd be getting the yacht to tow a drogue/sea anchor and then apply more horses to tension the line.

He was lucky he was not in NSW. Locally the rescue association rescue people not boats, they do not do salvage. In the cases where people have been taken off yachts wide offshore by the police boat [to far out for the rescue associations Steber 45] the boat is left to fend for itself. Yachts that come off moorings are rescued by the professional fishermen or the owners. Just recently they did tow a yacht back to a mooring but that is very rare here. Even the elderly gentleman who sailed his yacht into the beach at Shoalhaven heads earlier this year was towed off by one of the trawlers. He camped onboard for two days. The rescue association refused to help. Mate of mine swam ashore through the surf with a line then pulled a tow rope in and attached it. Trawler dragged her clear and back into a mooring. Rescue association where there in their uniforms and shiny Steber 45 taking photos!

I have towed home a few amateur boats years ago with my fishing vessel and having a weight on the tow rope gives more control and lessens the chance of snapping the tow line. Big slow revving propellers are far superior to outboards too.

I have even rescued and towed a water police sharkcat too!

Well explained SJ
Its all about saving lives, the rest is insurance claim.

There are very different approach to rescue, in different parts of OZ.
Not because of Voluntee Rescue rules but Police involvement or non at all.

We don't get police involved unles one skipper punch a knife to the other.

Yes, we attempt to bring the beached boat, sinking jetski ...back.
Providing it's safe, the owner swim across to get tow line, common sense prevail.

Any boat log in departure is ask to report when they arrive to destination.
If they going beyond radio range, we inform them last reception area and channels for next loggings.
This is provided religiously with no exceptions. Same passing boats, just radio check.
That's OK too.
Because the most locals are Coast Guard marine assist subscribers, they always login,
for a few hours or few days trip.

I've been pulled off the bottom before by maritime and a stranger. I've also seen maritime towing boats in the harbour that stopped.
Get your facts straight!