A FOOLHARDY boatie got into more trouble than he bargained for when launching a tinnie in freezing, blustery conditions at Frankston boat ramp last week.
The Carrum Downs man, 33, reportedly ignored other boaties’ warnings about the poor conditions and set off with his dog aboard at 2pm, Sunday 30 June.
Senior Sergeant Kirby Tonkin, of Rosebud police, said the man, who was not wearing a lifejacket, got into trouble about 150 metres out when the seas became too rough and he tried to turn around and head to shore.
A large wave swamped the boat throwing the man and the dog into the freezing water. Senior Sergeant Tonkin said the man tried to cling to the boat which was swept to within 30 metres of Frankston pier.
Two Carrum Downs police officers tried to rescue the man with a police woman entering the water under the pier. The man managed to grab onto a fisherman’s bamboo pole and was hauled in.
The man and the police woman were taken to Frankston hospital with hypothermia.
The dog managed to swim ashore where it was wrapped in a blanket and taken home unharmed.
The Water Police are reportedly looking into the incident and may lay charges.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 9 July 2019
