Laying in pain in the fetal position in dense bushes as the rain pelted down, Chris Newlyn clearly remembers the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter approaching him in the dark on a remote island in the Whitsundays.

“It was pitch black and the rain was horizontal and there was blood all over the place,” Chris said.
“The smell and warmth of the helicopter engine as it was coming down ... it was just unbelievable. For the first time I felt safe. They saved my life, they saved my cat’s life, they saved my boat.”

Chris was sailing his 15.4 metre yacht Stormtrooper around the Percy Islands with his cat, Smellycat, when treacherous conditions pushed him to the brink of disaster on May 13, 2019.
Huge waves knocked him and his boat around, resulting in injuries from a heavy fall.
“It was extreme weather happening out there, a huge swell. I was trying to get a safe anchorage and I slipped over on deck,” he said.

“I didn’t think too much about it until later when I had pins and needles in my arms and legs. To top it off I had a catastrophic failure in the engine bay when the manifold broke and superheated exhaust melted stuff including my electrical wiring (and my radio).
“I went down into the engine room and passed out. I don’t know how long I was out for but I knew that I was in serious trouble,” he said.

Drawing on his extensive military training, Chris rigged his radio off a broken battery - one watt of power enabled him to signal caretakers on Percy Island for help.
His distress call was passed to the Queensland Water Police, who alerted Mackay Volunteer Marine Rescue. But the extent of Mr Newlyn’s injuries prevented transportation by boat and the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter was required.

At first, he refused to leave.
“I told them I wasn’t getting off the boat without my cat,” Chris said.
“Simple as that, she’s the only thing I’ve got left in my life.”
A deal was struck with Mr Newlyn: get to safety and onto the helicopter and VMR would salvage the boat and his beloved pet, Smellycat.

“I used my tender to get to the island and proceeded to go to where I was told was a possible landing zone. It was dark, pouring with rain and moving was difficult due to my breathing. At one point I passed out again. The rain and wind were against me with every minute, but I waited in the dark,” Chris said.

“After a short time I saw the helicopter coming, I stood up and activated a red flare. The helicopter circled me and put the search light on locating me instantly. The helicopter began to land in front of me and I could only imagine how difficult it was to land safely in that weather. The warmth and distinct smell from the helicopter as it landed was an unbelievable relief. For the first time I felt safe,” he said.

Chris was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude for his saviors including CQ Rescue, Volunteer Marine Rescue and the caretakers on Percy Island.

“The helicopter crew were very calm and caring and I remember looking out of the window as the helicopter started to lift off and looking at my boat thinking that I may never see her again. But then I saw VMR pulling up alongside and going aboard,” he said.
RACQ CQ Rescue landed at the Mackay-based hangar and Chris was taken to hospital by ambulance where he remained for six days.

“The crew were very calm and caring and I remember looking out of the window as the helicopter started to lift off and looking at my boat thinking that I may never see her again. But then I saw VMR pulling up alongside and going aboard,” he said.”

Chris has no doubt that the experience and skills of the RACQ CQ Rescue crew saved his life on that awful night.

“I’ve lived on my boat for the last six years, basically to get away from people ... but seeing humanity at its best like that all of a sudden was super magical,” he said.

“My memories of the incident will remain with me forever – the professionalism and skill of the crew of a very capable helicopter, as well as VMR.

“These people should all wear capes as they are definitely heroes – both for myself and for many other people.”

“I can truly say that the sight of you guys arriving in those appalling conditions will forever be in my memory. The power of the helicopter and professionalism of the crew is second to none. Thank you guys for saving this very grateful traveller.”