News & Media

Photo: The Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie fleet covers both lake and outside waters

Three teenagers were rescued after being dumped and stranded in the surf off Caves Beach, a popular ocean beach just south of the entrance to Lake Macquarie late yesterday afternoon (Monday, May 7).

Two of the boys lost their boogie boards when they were dumped by a big set of waves, leaving all three clinging to the remaining board.

The seas were too strong for them to return to the beach but one of their friends who had seen their predicament contacted Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie for help.

The unit’s radio base contacted the duty crew at the Pelican Boat Base and Lake Macquarie 21 with a crew of four responded to the emergency. In just 20 minutes, the Marine Rescue vessel had safely crossed the bar and reached the last known position of the boys, who were quickly located about 200 metres from shore.

The swell was running at 1.5 to 2 metres and Lake Macquarie 21 had to stand off and wait for a break to provide some smoother water. The rescue crew was then able to go in on a loop, picking up the three boys in one go and returning outside the breakers, where the condition of the boys was assessed.

The boys were cold and weary but otherwise unharmed. Lake Macquarie 21 returned them to Pelican Base, where they were met by the very relieved mother of one of the boys.