Blue Dolphin Marine Tours rescues sick turtle in Hervey Bay

Tourists and crew from a dolphin watching tour vessel came together to rescue a sick green sea turtle floating off the coast or Hervey Bay. PHOTOS:

A turtle is rescued off the coast of Hervey Bay. Photo: Blue Dolphin Marine Tours

Tourists and crew members have come together on a Blue Dolphin Marine Tours ship to help rescue a sick green sea turtle.

Skipper Annika Dahlberg said on Friday she had received a call from another boat about a green sea turtle, which had been seen floating nearby.

“They said they had seen it, gave us the heads up and said to keep an eye out,” Ms Dahlberg said.

Floating turtles are unable to dive for food and are in danger from boat strikes and predators.

Ms Dahlberg said when turtles couldn’t dive to feed, they would end up starving.

She said after receiving the call, the crew had been on the lookout for the turtle and soon saw it.

A turtle is brought to Urangan Marina after being found floating off the coast. Photo: Blue Dolphin Marine Tours

“When we came through it was still there in pretty bad condition,” she said.

“Judging from the body condition, it looked like it had been floating for some time.”

The team contacted Turtles in Trouble to see if anyone could come and rescue the animal, but they were unable to send a team.

“It was drifting quite fast with the tide – we could see it drifting, it had already moved away quite a distance – if we didn’t do it, who knows where it would have ended up.”

Ms Dahlberg said the crew and guests on board wanted to help the turtle.

A turtle was found floating off the coast of Hervey Bay. Photo: Blue Dolphin Marine Tours

“So we decided to make the best of a situation try to do it ourselves, and we were able to which was very lucky.”

After getting the turtle on board, the team slowly made its way back to the marina where they again contacted Turtles in Trouble to tell them they had been able to bring the turtle back to the marina.

The team from Turtles in Trouble met the crew there and were able to transport the turtle to Australia Zoo, where she is now receiving treatment at the wildlife hospital.

Ms Dahlberg said the team was hoping to receive updates on the turtle’s condition as its recovery continued.

‘Missed more than words’: Funeral set for mechanic after boating tragedy

Sod turned on new $100m over 50s development

Originally published as Blue Dolphin Marine Tours rescues sick turtle in Hervey Bay