Fishermen in Australia were hooked up to a black marlin on Sunday when the billfish turned the tables on them and left them stranded 20 miles overseas after disabling their boat motor.
“It occurred so fast,” the skipper informed Marine Rescue New South Wales. “We were battling it and it did a U-turn and knocked into the engine.”
The approximated 150-pound black marlin punched a hole in the engine’s canvas cover and cowling, disabling the vessel simply inthepast 1 p.m.
“It was a freaky thing,” the unknown skipper stated.
The anglers were required to cut the line and radio Marine Rescue Merimbula to demand a tow.
It took the rescue boat an hour to reach the handicapped 22-foot vessel and about 2 hours to tow it back to Kianinny boat ramp, situated about midway inbetween Sydney and Melbourne.
For Marine Rescue Merimbula system leader Bill Blakeman, this was a veryfirst in his 15 years of volunteer service on the water.
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“It was an uncommon rescue,” Blakeman informed Marine Rescue NSW. “I’ve had a couple of shark-related occurrences over the years where they assaulted props, however neverever a marlin disabling a vessel.”
The boat owner was very grateful. He stated he’d be making a contribution to the Marine Rescue NSW.
“I am extremely glad for the help Marine Rescue supplied,” the skipper stated.
Photo of generic blue marlin courtesy of Wikipedia Com