Rescuer paddles out into Port Phillip Bay to save struggling windsurfer

When Aspendale SUP enthusiast Scott Williamson spotted a windsurfer in distress on Port Phillip Bay, he grabbed a rope, jumped on his board and paddled out to tow the man to safety in an hour-and-a-half rescue mission.

A QUIET Sunday afternoon at home turned into a dramatic rescue mission for a quick thinking Aspendale man.

Scott Williamson, 48, was at his beach front house when his wife spotted windsurfer Paul Warner. 59, in distress offshore.

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“She pointed him out to me and we got the binoculars for a better look,” Mr Williamson said.

“I could see he was in trouble and he was a fair way out so I put my wetsuit on, grabbed a rope and my paddle board and headed out.

“I figured I could either wait with him until help came or even get him to shore myself.

“When I got to him he was pretty tired and cold and stressed and the sail on his windsurfer was ripped.

“I ended up towing him to shore.”

Mr Williamson said it was about 4pm when he set out and the sun was setting by the time he got to shore.

“My wife called the water police as I headed out and they arrived when we were about 100m from shore,” he said.

“I think it would have been hard for them to find the guy once the sun set, so I’m glad I didn’t wait.”

Mr Williamson said he hadn’t met Mr Warner before the incident but had since found out he lived ten houses down the road.

The weekend rescue was not the first time Mr Williamson had gone to the aid of a someone in distress.

“I’ve jumped in a few times to help people out. This time was probably the most serious though.

“My family has been giving me grief about it too. They’ve started calling me David Hasselhoff!”

Mr Warner said he was thankful Mr Williamson had come to his aid.

“I hadn’t been out there for long when I started to feel fatigued and breathless,” he said.

“Then I started to get some trouble with my gear and the sail tore.”

The experienced sailor said he had been involved in rescues and knew how important it was to stay calm.

“If you panic you burn up energy and make the wrong choices,” he said.

“I just sat there thinking about my options. I was going to ditch my gear but the sail is bright so I thought I’d hang onto it so it was easier to see me.

“The wind was picking up and I thought at worst I’d end up at Frankston.”

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