Zeb Critchlow and Tyler Hollmer-Cross reveal they are still haunted by Marion Bay boat tragedy

Two Tasmanian surfer mates who rescued a pair of fishermen after their boat capsized at Marion Bay have revealed what they remember of that day and what still haunts them.

Surfer mates Zeb Critchlow and Tyler Hollmer-Cross who rescued two fishermen after their boat capsized at Marion Bay last year still regret the fact they could not save Anthony Bowerman. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

TWO Tasmanian surfer mates who rescued a pair of fishermen after their boat capsized at Marion Bay last year say they still regret the fact they could not save a third man on the boat, Graeme Bowerman.

“I have had huge issues getting over the fact we didn’t get all of the men,” Zeb Critchlow said after Coroner Olivia McTaggart handed down her findings into Mr Bowerman’s drowning.

“It is the unwritten law of the ocean that you do what you have to do to help others in the water.

“We managed to get two of the men to safety but couldn’t find their mate and that still plays on my mind.”

Mr Critchlow and his mate Tyler Hollmer-Cross were out surfing at Marion Bay early in the morning on June 3, 2018.

It was cold, just 3C, and the sun was barely up

The weather and swell were perfect for surfing but not so good for watercraft in the break in an area known as the “narrows”.

“I had just paddled out and hadn’t even caught a wave yet when I heard yelling from a boat that I could see was upside down,” Mr Hollmer-Cross said.

Mr Bowerman and his fishing friends Scott Marriott and Marcus Mayne had been thrown into the water after a big breaking wave capsized their vessel.

“Zeb had just arrived on his jetski and bolted over there and picked up two guys,” he said.

Mr Critchlow retrieved Mr Mayne first as he was identified as a weak swimmer.

Ms McTaggart said that in the cold conditions there were only minutes to effect a rescue before the men would have succumbed to cold water shock, immobility and death.

The two fishermen were conscious and Mr Critchlow conveyed them to another nearby boat which then took them back to the Boomer Bay boat ramp.

He and Mr Hollmer-Cross then frantically searched for Mr Bowerman — including diving under the overturned vessel to see if he was trapped underneath — but to no avail.

“It was just light and I was trying to get under the boat,” Mr Hollmer-Cross said.

“The whole situation was pretty traumatic.

“It was a dangerous swell and the waves were so big.

“Diving under that boat in those conditions was the scariest thing I have ever done.

“But I was full of adrenaline and you just have to do what you have to do in those situations.

“It was really unfortunate that we couldn’t save everyone that day but I suppose if we weren’t there all three men would have died.”

Mr Bowerman was later spotted in the water by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter but had drowned.

In handing down her findings last week, Ms McTaggart recommended Mr Critchlow and Mr Hollmer-Cross be considered for bravery awards for their actions that day.

“The conditions were exceptionally dangerous to the two men attempting the rescue,” she said.

“The water had limited visibility and both suffered continued buffeting from sets of large breaking waves.

“At one point Mr Critchlow found himself wrapped by a tarpaulin under the boat and had great difficulty untangling himself.’

Mr Critchlow and Mr Hollmer-Cross have been recognised as two of Tasmania’s unsung heroes as part of this year’s Pride of Australia campaign.

The two surfing mates know the waters around Marion Bay and both saved other boaters who have got into trouble in the same spot before.

“A year before this incident I saved some guys in an upside down boat in the same spot,” Mr Hollmer-Cross said.

“I have seen four or five boats tip there.”

PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA

News Corp Australia, publisher of the Mercury, with the support of Seven News and Australia Post, is calling on readers to nominate the unsung heroes in their community for this year’s campaign.

Previous award winners across the country have touched hearts, changed lives and made their communities a better place to live.

You can nominate anyone in your community who has inspired you through their dedication, initiative, courage or acts of charity.

Nominations for the Pride of Australia Awards close on October 21. Nominate a local hero at prideofaustralia.com.au