By Vanessa Chircop
GRAEME Simpson thanked his lucky stars he had his iPhone with him last Saturday night.
The 45-year-old found himself stranded in the middle of southern Port Phillip Bay when his jet ski suddenly broke down.
He was on his way to pick up three mates who had been kite surfing on Mud Island, about 7.5km from Sorrento since 1pm, when his jet ski stalled.
His three friends were left stranded on the island while he remained adrift in the middle of a busy shipping channel on a dark and moonless night.
Thankfully, Mr Simpson was able to raise the alarm using his iPhone.
Members of Williamstown’s Water Police received the call out and braved the stormy seas to help rescue the jet skier and his three friends.
Leading Senior Constable Jay McDonald said conditions weren’t ideal with Mr Simpson stranded in 25 to 30 knot winds, two metre seas and with three large ships bearing down to his location.
“The first phase of the operation was to successfully recover the gentleman on the ski and the second was to actually get to Mud Island at low tide, at night, in heavy weather to recover the three other people,” he said.
“It’s not the most ideal environment to be operating in.”
L/Sen Const McDonald described the operation as one of the most dangerous he has been involved in and said if the man didn’t have his phone on him things could have ended differently.
“The way the weather environment was situated at the time, he was pretty much heading straight out to Port Phillip Heads which would have taken him out to Bass Strait.”
Mr Simpson said he initially panicked when his jet ski broke down.
“I’m in the middle of the channel and I can see ships coming and I only had my phone,” he said.
The St Kilda man called triple zero knowing he would be put through to the Water Police.
“The guys there were very sharp, very confident and made me feel at ease,” he said.
“Aside from the strong seas there’s also the cold – I was lucky I had a wetsuit on.
“There’s not much you can do – once the panic hits you there’s not a lot I can do other than hanging in.”
Mr Simpson said he was very thankful to the police.
“Without the phone I really don’t know what I would have done,” he said.
Using his iPhone Mr Simpson was able to provide his exact GPS coordinates to the police, which expedited his rescue.
The members were able to reach him on their jet skis within 80 minutes of receiving the coordinates.
L/Sen Const McDonald said it was important for seafarers to plan ahead to ensure a safe trip.
“Anyone considering going out on the bay should ensure they monitor the weather and let a family member or friend know of their plans,” he said.
