At midday on Sunday 17th April 2016, Tasmania Police were alerted to a vessel taking on water near Foster Island off Cape Portland in the States north east.  The solo sailor issued a mayday when his vessel began taking on water after striking wood near Swan Island.

The mayday was intercepted by Tasmania Maritime Radio who notified police and sought assistance from any nearby shipping.  The Tasmania Maritime College training vessel was within one kilometre of the stricken vessel and was quickly on the scene.

The stricken vessel, an Allan’s 12 fibreglass sail boat, was taken under tow to Fosters Inlet where the ‘Blue Fin’s” engineer repaired the damage allowing the skipper to continue his journey.