BUNBURY boaters are constantly putting themselves in danger in a “frighteningly violent washing machine” where the Bunbury Sea Rescue crew is not willing to venture.
The marine rescue organisation confirmed they have banned crew members from going near a dangerous sandbar in The Cut, where a local boater had a lucky escape just last week.
It has been almost a year since the Bunbury Mail first reported fears about a growing sandbar in The Cut, a water channel which provides an ocean connection between the Leschenault Estuary and the Collie and Preston Rivers.
A severe storm in June 2012 damaged the rock wall at the channel and protective granite boulders were dislodged, resulting in sand spilling over and creating the hazard.
Bunbury Sea Rescue commander Albert Fullarton said the group had put a self-imposed ban on rescuers venturing into waters near the sandbar.
Mr Fullarton said several boats had flipped over earlier this year and warning signs had been placed at boat ramps but it did not deter skippers from taking the risk.
“I watch people go out constantly and I think “I wouldn’t do it”, but they just won’t listen,” he said.
“We have banned our boats from going near the sandbar, it’s not worth putting our crews’ lives at risk and damaging equipment.”
Bunbury man Dave Hough made an emergency call to the rescue group on Thursday afternoon when he saw a man in a dinghy with motor failure drifting very fast with an outgoing tide towards the breakers at the mouth of The Cut.
Mr Hough was advised of the rescuers’ ban and desperately tried to find alternative help.
“I watched in horror as the guy drifted a long way out and was nearly at the large surf near the mouth,” Mr Hough said.
“At that time a jet ski came along and I managed to flag him down to save the guy in distress.”
In October last year Premier Colin Barnett vowed to address the problem as a “matter of urgency” after ongoing confusion between the City of Bunbury, the Harvey shire and the state government about who was responsible for the channel.
A transport department spokesperson said short-term repairs to protect the structure from further damage were almost finished and a long-term solution was still being investigated.
The department continues to advise skippers to navigate the channel with caution.
