A man and woman have been rescued in an emergency operation after their 45m cruiser sank offshore 6nm south of Ballina on the NSW North Coast early this morning.
The emergency began when the cruiser began taking on water and sinking bow first. The couple on board acted quickly and gathered two life rings, a fender, EPIRB and mobile phone, putting on their lifejackets.
They made a Mayday call, which was picked up by an overnight radio operator at Marine Rescue Sydney, followed by an EPIRB activation. Crews from Marine Rescue Ballina and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter were rapidly activated.
The Westpac helicopter located the people in the water, dropping a strobe to guide rescue vessel Ballina 30 to the scene. The vessel crew rescued the man and woman from the water and transported them to a waiting NSW Ambulance at the Fawcett Street wharf, providing immediate first aid for hypothermia en route.
The rescue helicopter stayed on scene, illuminating the hazardous bar, until the rescue boat was safely across in the pitch dark.
Marine Rescue NSW Northern Rivers Regional Operations Manager John Murray said the emergency services had mounted a rapid and professional response.
“This operation in the dead of night is proof of the value of the services’ regular joint training exercises, which ensure everyone works seamlessly to save lives on the water,” Mr Murray said.
Thanks to Tim Sharman from the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter for the photographs from the air.
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