'Mistakes' keep SW rescue group ready

Margaret River Volunteer Sea Rescue attended four call-outs in five days over the busy New Year period, with volunteers citing "basic errors in seamanship" as some of the causes.

Volunteer sea rescue veteran Wayne Baddock told the _Times _ issues included boaters running out of fuel, breakdowns and a lack of equipment.

He said some people who came into trouble had even used their mobile phones to make contact with someone, while one other person had also used a flare.

"Unfortunately, one gentleman had no anchor and was drifting," he said.

"Some people are just really poorly set up on their boats.

"Relying on mobile phones is absolutely ridiculous."

Mr Baddock said anyone with a radio could tune into VHF channel 80 and call for help or log their travel plans with a base in the Capel region.

"I just keep trying to remind people if you get a radio, you can talk to someone at a radio base all day," he said.

"Having a radio also means rescuers can maintain contact with people while searching for them."

Rescue president Geoff Uhd said "fundamental mistakes" were keeping the group very busy.

"If there's a call-out, that's it, we drop tools," he said.

"(People) are very thankful and we treat it is an education."

Mr Baddock said there had been only two other call-outs in the three-week period, but added four calls in five days was busier than usual.

"It all happened in a hurry," he said.

"We think it's a reflection of a couple of things, including more people on the water."

Mr Baddock said boat users needed to make sure the vessel was "up-to-speed".