The Lady Cheryl
On the evening of 23 March 2012, the commercial fishing vessel FV Lady Cheryl departed Williamstown for a 10-day deep sea fishing voyage. It was intended that the vessel transit Port Phillip, depart through Port Phillip Heads and then set a course for the fishing grounds to the west of Tasmania. However, in the early hours of the following morning when abeam Shortland Bluff (Queenscliff) and still within Port Phillip, the Lady Cheryl altered course towards Point Nepean. The master did not notice the error and Lady Cheryl ran aground on the outlying reef at Point Nepean. The vessel was holed below its waterline and sank a short time later.
The voices of Alwyn Tamo 'Western Port Safety Council' and Joy Croft 'Coast Guard Loch Sport'.
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Limited Marine Coast Radio Stations were often operated from the homes of volunteer members. Here are some of the operators that spent many hours keeping a listening watch for vessels at sea.