An anticipated gentle paddle off the Saratoga shoreline almost turned into a disaster when the paddle of a small inflatable craft snapped in half and the vessel was caught by gusty winds on Brisbane Water.
Three people were on board when the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, October 20.
Marine Rescue Central Coast was called and intercepted the boat as the gusts pushed it northwards.
The incident left the three inexperienced adventurers wet and cold.
Meanwhile, a 27ft cabin cruiser with seven people on board, including two children and an infant, required assistance from Marine Rescue when the boat’s battery needed a jumpstart at Hardys Bay on Saturday afternoon, October 19.
The Marine Rescue volunteers got the boat going again and escorted the cruiser back to Gosford.
Marine Rescue Central Coast Unit Commander Ian Morrow reminded boat owners to make sure their craft was sea-worthy and serviced regularly to ensure safe sailing.