Man winched from ocean after medical emergency on broken yacht off Bundaberg coast

A man suffering a medical episode was winched from the ocean and flown to hospital as his vessel drifted 25 nautical miles offshore in a dramatic rescue involving a father-son duo. SEE THE VIDEOS

A dramatic rescue mission unfolded off the coast of Burnett Heads when a 15-metre yacht ran into serious trouble—its sails twisted, engine damaged, and one passenger in urgent need of medical care.

More than 25 nautical miles offshore, a father-son duo from different rescue services joined forces in a gripping operation that saved two lives and a beloved vessel from disaster.

Queensland Ambulance Service flight critical care paramedic Andrew Hoffmann, stationed with Bundaberg’s LifeFlight helicopter, was called in by Retrieval Services Queensland after reports of a stricken yacht with a passenger suffering a medical episode.

While Andrew took to the skies, his father, Marine Rescue Queensland Bundaberg unit operations coordinator and senior coxswain Erwin Hoffmann, launched from the sea with his experienced team to locate and escort the damaged yacht.

“It was quite a distance for us to go out because we’re doing the best speed we can at sea,” Erwin said.

“I can’t speak highly enough of LifeFlight. It’s definitely needed. We have a great relationship with other emergency services. We all share the same goal of helping people.”

Aboard the chopper, LifeFlight rescue crew officer Daniel Finter was winched down into the ocean to reach the man in distress.

“When I got down into the water, it was very loud from the helicopter and we couldn’t say a lot, but the look of relief on his face said it all,” Daniel said.

“He was pretty happy when I hooked the rescue strop around him.”

Andrew treated the man mid-flight, providing pain relief during the dash to Bundaberg Hospital.

Drew and Erwin Hoffmann join forces in a dramatic rescue 25 nautical miles off Bundaberg.

“They were lovely people and they warmed me up with a blanket, asked me questions and kept chatting to me,” the man, Guy, said. “Before I knew it, I was flying over Bundaberg and then they said we’d be at Bundy Hospital in five minutes.”

Back on the water, Erwin and his team reached Joan, who had remained on the drifting yacht.

“She couldn’t get the sail down and the yacht was still moving. We drove up beside her and one of our experienced crew transferred over to her vessel. We then towed them home,” Erwin said.

“The other passenger onboard was very appreciative when we turned up. Our boat is yellow, and when they see it come over the horizon their worries just seem to go.”

Drew and Erwin with the Lifeflight chopper.

Joan said she would never forget the professionalism and kindness of the MRQ Bundaberg crew.

“They were absolutely amazing and just so professional and wonderful. The sea can be unforgiving and unpredictable and it’s comforting to know they’re there if you need them,” she said.

The rescue was not only a triumph of teamwork—it was also a family affair. While their paths don’t often cross during missions, Erwin and Andrew are proud to share a passion for helping others.

“I feel a sense of pride when the helicopter flies over the boat, but I know he’s going to be home having dinner probably three or four hours before me,” Erwin said.

“It definitely makes me proud that we are both so passionate about helping the community and between us, have been doing it for over half a century,” Andrew said.

Originally published as Man winched from ocean after medical emergency on broken yacht off Bundaberg coast