News & Media

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Kembla responded to two major emergencies within six hours on Sunday, January 22, rescuing three people from the water off Bellambi Reef before turning out to assist an upturned boat that had been taking part in a game fishing tournament.

The Unit was notified at 7.30am that a small fishing boat with three people on board had capsized off the reef. Rescue vessel Alex (Shorty) Mathieson (PK30), was crewed and under way six minutes later. The passengers all were located and rescued from the water but their boat had sunk.

At 1.30pm, the NSW Police Force Botany Bay Marine Area Command contacted the Unit to ask members to tow an upturned vessel, Grill N, which had been taking part in the Sydney Game Fishing Tournament and was 7 Nm east and 3 Nm out from Bellambi. Grill N had hooked and was fighting a marlin when two large waves hit the stern of the boat, before a third wave hit the vessel and it turned over. The crew on board was able to get a Mayday call away to the Tournament Base on Channel 82 and was quickly picked up by another vessel.

PK30 was on the water by 1.50pm. On arrival, the crew attached a tow line, which was an effort in itself and began to tow the upturned vessel back to the Bellambi Boat Ramp. Due to the size of Grill N, an 8.23 metre Cobia, and the wind and swell, the tow line snapped. The rescue crew attached another line and began the tow, contacting the Port Hill "60" Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to advise they could only travel at about 2 knots, meaning the job would take approximately six hours. After another half hour, the tow line again snapped. Port Kembla Marine Area Command, already on the road with a RHIB to the Bellambi Boat Ramp, decided that the larger Police vessel, Vanguard, was more suitable and requested that PK30 stand by and monitor the situation until it reached the scene.

When Vanguard arrived, the Police and Marine Rescue crews attempted to attach other lines to Grill N but to no avail. The Police decided to abandon the tow due to the conditions and allow the vessel to beach itself at Coledale Beach. Unfortunately, Grill N landed on to a rocky platform and was broken up.

PK30 returned to its mooring at 7.28pm, after an assist of almost six hours.

Illustrating what a busy summer season it has been in the region, Port Kembla Marine Rescue has been involved in 29 assists or searches from December 17 until January 22.