THE Wave Swell Energy crew last week responded to a call for help to transport an offshore oil and gas construction ship crew member who was onboard a vessel 3 km off Naracoopa.
Mustafa Bhatti, who lives in Currie, is regularly trotting the globe as an oil rig crane operator. He spoke to his friend of 10 years, Steve Phillips from MMA Offshore and heard that a crew member needed to leave the ship on compassionate grounds.
The Wave Swell crew Mustafa, Cody Rooks and Kane Denny in the company’s ex-police, rigid inflatable zodiac left Naracoopa in rough conditions, completed the ship transfer and returned the crewman to shore.
“We cannot thank Wave Swell Energy enough for the assistance they provided with transporting one of our crew members, helping with accommodation and feeding him,” Mr Phillips said. “Our man was even driven to the airport the following day to catch a flight from King Island home because of a family medical emergency.
“The kind people on King Island did everything within their ability to assist us, even though there were some delays at our end waiting for approvals for the transfer plan.
“We changed the location for the boat transfer due to weather conditions and Wave Swell Energy moved to this location without hesitation. We are so impressed with the kindness and hospitality of the tight knit community on King Island.
“My good mate Mustafa could not do enough to help us out with arranging the logistics on King Island and even delivered us some beautiful King Island cheese when the transfer took place.
“We have heard from our crew member, and he is beyond grateful for the effort everyone went to carrying out this operation. He is now back where he needs to be. Thanks again to Wave Swell Energy, Mustafa and all those that made this a safe and successful operation. Thank you, King Island. We could not have carried this out without your help.”