The Queensland Police Service has recognised three Senior Constables for a rescue operation in wild weather off the Sunshine Coast in early July.
The trio were involved in a 15-hour rescue of a 71-year-old injured male sailor.
The sailor unexpectedly encountered rough seas while sailing around 100 nautical miles east of Noosa Heads. He activated his Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon around 9am, initiating a multi-Agency rescue operation.
Due to the man’s injuries, rescue helicopters were unable to winch the man to safety.
Senior Constable Mark Muddiman was one of the officers dispatched to assist the stranded sailor alongside Senior Constable Murray Lyons and Senior Constable Darrin Tomkins (pictured) and a paramedic, on board Police Vessel Norm Watt.
“We were dispatched around 6.30pm and spent the next five hours navigating rough seas to try and locate the man’s vessel,” Senior Constable Muddiman said.
“A passing merchant ship also attended following the man’s beacon activation. However, they were unfortunately unable to pull the man to safety.”
He said once on scene, the paramedic assessed the man and found he had suffered broken ribs suspected as a result of being thrown around his 10-metre yacht in the rough seas.
Once the crew were able to manoeuvre the injured sailor onto the police boat, he was transported back to Mooloolaba before being taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Senior Constable Muddiman said rescues with an outcome like this were what he found most rewarding about his job.
“No two days are ever the same in the Water Police Unit and you can never be quite sure what each shift will bring,” he said.
“We were fortunate to be able to catch up with this man a week later, seeing him back on the land and in the comfort of his own home made our rescue effort all worth it.”
Senior Constables Muddiman, Lyons and Tomkins have been nominated for a QBank Everyday Hero Award for this rescue.
