Category: Hunter Central Coast

• Marathon mission: Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage returns stranded boaters to shore

  May 6, 2025 10:44 am Leave a Comment

  A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage spent almost seven hours on the water yesterday during a marathon mission to assist two stranded boaters on Boolambayte Lake.

  

  Image: Tracking of LT 30s approximate 110 km roundtrip

  Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage Unit Commander David Aselford said radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Stephens took the initial call for assistance.

  “Marine Rescue Port Stephens was contacted by the crew on board the disabled vessel at 12.15pm yesterday (Monday 7 May) after their six- to seven-metre half-cabin suffered mechanical failure, leaving them stranded near Violet Hill campground.

  “Because of the location of the stricken vessel, volunteers from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage were tasked on board rescue vessel Lemon Tree 30.

  “We pride ourselves on rapid deployment at Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage and aim to be on the water within 14 minutes – which we were,” Unit Commander Aselford said.

  

  The volunteer crew on board LT 30 reached the disabled vessel at 3.15pm, following a challenging trip up the Myall River.

  “It is a very tricky waterway – long, winding, narrow and very shallow in parts – with our crew restricted to just five knots,” Unit Commander Aselford said.

  “The two people on board the disabled vessel were relieved when the rescue vessel arrived. A towline was secured and the boaters and their vessel were towed to Mungo Brush Boat Ramp on the eastern side of Bombah Broadwater.

  “The boaters were safely returned to shore at 4.30pm before our crew began the slow trip home to Lemon Tree Passage, arriving back at base at 7.10pm following approximately a 110 km round trip.

  “Volunteers at Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage train for missions like this and regularly practise on the Myall River because the environment on that waterway is very different to open waters,” he said.

  

  Unit Commander Aselford said the rescued boaters indicated they would make a donation to the unit who provided the assistance for free.

  “Our crew used $700 worth of fuel during the mission, so their donation will be greatly appreciated.

  “While Marine Rescue NSW receives valuable funding from the NSW Government, units also rely on the generous support of communities, partners and grant programmes to keep our volunteers rescue-ready.

  “This May, we’re asking people to answer the call and support Marine Rescue NSW in our mission of saving lives on the water.

  ‘MAYDAY’ is a call for help — we need people to answer our call. Every dollar donated helps our volunteers save lives on the water.

  “Our goal of $45,000 represents $1 for every boater Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state have saved in the last five years. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated,” said Unit Commander Aselford.

• Marine Rescue Newcastle crew complete late-night assist in challenging offshore conditions

  April 30, 2025 10:44 am Leave a Comment

  A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Newcastle navigated darkness and a fast-flowing run-out tide overnight to rescue a stranded sailor four nautical miles (7.4 km) south of Nobbys Head.

  

  Marine Rescue Newcastle Unit Commander Lyn Van Homrigh said the skipper of a Logged On 11-metre sailing catamaran called radio operators at the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre at 10 pm last night (Tuesday 29 April) to ask for help after his vessel suffered engine failure.

  “A volunteer crew was assembled and rescue vessel Newcastle 30 was deployed.

  “The crew reached the disabled vessel at 11:15 pm and checked the welfare of the sailor, who was fine. A towline was then secured to his vessel.

  “Because of the weight and width of the vessel, it was a slow trip back into the harbour.

  

  “We used FLIR (forward-looking infrared camera) technology on board Newcastle 30 to assist with safe passage.

  “The strong run-out tide on the Hunter River restricted our travelling speed, and Newcastle 30 was required to perform a number of challenging manoeuvres to safely place the disabled vessel on a mooring near Stockton Bridge. At 1:20 am, the skipper and his vessel were secured,” she said.

  

  Unit Commander Van Homrigh is also advising boaters to avoid going out on the water while a hazardous surf warning is in place for the Hunter Coast.

  “Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous today and tomorrow.

  “Boaters should delay their plans until conditions improve, and always Log On with Marine Rescue NSW via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16,” she said.

• Marine Rescue NSW volunteers assist search for missing swimmer off Newcastle

  April 13, 2025 10:23 am Leave a Comment

  Volunteers from Marine Rescue Newcastle are assisting a multi-agency search for a missing female swimmer off Newcastle Beach.

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade said a volunteer crew was assembled and rescue vessel Newcastle 30 deployed before sunrise today (Sunday 13 April).

  “Newcastle 30 was on the water at 5:25 am, with volunteer radio operators managing communications from the Marine Rescue Newcastle base at Stockton.

  “Newcastle 30 is conducting a parallel line search with a NSW Water Police vessel.

  “Marine Rescue Newcastle volunteers will continue to assist NSW Police Marine Area Command until instructed otherwise.

  “Conditions are favourable offshore this morning, with seas under a metre and a 10-knot east to north-easterly wind,” Inspector Greenslade said.

  

• Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes to host vital search and rescue training exercise

  March 27, 2025 7:05 pm Leave a Comment

  Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes will host a search and rescue exercise involving three Central Coast-based Marine Rescue NSW units this Saturday, 29 March.

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Hunter Central Coast Zone Training Manager, Jane Shirriff, said 34 volunteers from the Tuggerah Lakes, Central Coast, and Norah Head units will take part in the vital training exercise.

  “We practise our search and rescue skills in a controlled environment so that when the real call comes, our volunteers are best prepared to respond,” Shirriff said.

  

  Twenty volunteers on board five Marine Rescue NSW boats and two rescue watercraft (jet skis) will take part in the on-water search, while 14 volunteer radio operators will manage radio communications for the search scenario from the Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes Toukley base.

  Shirriff said a scenario will be delivered to participants on Saturday afternoon, focusing on different areas of the lake.

  “We will have two search locations on Tuggerah Lake, with four manikins in the water that our crews will need to locate and retrieve in a timely manner using various search techniques,” she said.

  

  One search area will be on the southern side of Toukley Bridge, with crews conducting a parallel line search, while a contour search will be held on waters around Pelican Island.

  “Members of the public will notice increased Marine Rescue NSW activity on Tuggerah Lake this Saturday; please don’t be alarmed, we are training. Should an emergency happen, our volunteers will rapidly respond,” Shirriff said.

  Marine Rescue NSW volunteers will be on Tuggerah Lake from 9 am this Saturday, with the search and rescue exercise taking place between 1 pm and 4 pm.

• Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie crew responds to late-night Pan Pan call 24km off Swansea Heads

  March 24, 2025 11:02 am Leave a Comment

  A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie was activated late last night (Sunday, 23 March) to assist two boaters stranded 13 nautical miles (24km) off Swansea Heads.

  Radio operators at Marine Rescue Sydney received a Pan Pan call from the skipper of an 11-metre power catamaran after both engines failed at around 10pm.

  A Pan Pan call is made to indicate an urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening.

  

  Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Unit Commander Jim Wright was part of the three-person crew deployed for the mission on board Lake Macquarie 30.

  “A volunteer crew was quickly assembled and headed for the location of the disabled vessel, while radio operators at Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie managed communications after they were transferred from Marine Rescue Sydney,” Wright said.

  “Lake Macquarie 30 reached the disabled vessel at midnight and immediately checked on the welfare of the two crew members on board, who were both fine.

  “A towline was secured to the disabled vessel before the long and slow trip back to Swansea.

  “We safely crossed the bar and returned the two boaters and their vessel to a mooring on the eastern side of Swansea Bridge just before 2:30am today (Monday, 24 March).

  “Thankfully, conditions offshore were reasonable, and our night training served us well.

  “It was a seamless response, with excellent communication between the rescue boat, the disabled vessel, and our radio operators, who did a wonderful job,” Unit Commander Wright said.

• Marine Rescue Port Stephens deployed to search for missing person off Newcastle

  February 23, 2025 5:58 pm Leave a Comment

  Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Stephens have been tasked by NSW Police Marine Area Command to assist in a multi-agency search approximately 30 nautical miles (55 kilometres) east of Newcastle.

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond saidrescue vessel Port Stephens 31 was deployed around 2pm today, Sunday 23 August.

  “The Marine Rescue NSW crew on board Port Stephens 31 are assisting NSW Water Police with a parallel line search after a person reportedly went overboard, during a fishing competition.

  “The search is expected to continue tomorrow with Marine Rescue NSW vessels Terrigal 30 and Newcastle 30 ready to assist,” Inspector Raymond said.

• Marine Rescue Newcastle crew completes lengthy overnight rescue mission

  February 21, 2025 11:30 am Leave a Comment

  Volunteers from Marine Rescue Newcastle have safely returned two people to shore after their 13.5 metre yacht lost steering 18 nautical miles (33km) off Newcastle.
   
  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said volunteer radio operators at Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre answered a call for assistance just before 7pm last night, Thursday 20 February.
   
  “The skipper of the distressed vessel advised Marine Rescue Sydney that they had lost steering and needed assistance to return to Newcastle Harbour.
   
  “At the request of NSW Police Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue Newcastle assembled a crew of volunteer members and deployed rescue vessel Newcastle 30 around 8pm.
   
  “Conditions were challenging throughout the entire mission with the Newcastle 30 crew battling one and a half to two metre swells” he said.
   
  Newcastle 30 reached the distressed vessel just after 10pm and secured a towline before making the trip back to Newcastle Harbour.
   
  “The return trip was a slow three hour operation because of the conditions, with Newcastle 30 travelling at three to four knots.
   
  “Newcastle 30 safely manoeuvred the distressed vessel and its crew to a mooring.
   
  “Our radio operators at Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre also did an exceptional job managing communications for the rescue mission,” Inspector Raymond said.
   
  

• Marine Rescue Newcastle crew guides disabled sailing boat to safety in challenging conditions

  January 29, 2025 12:31 pm 3 Comments

  Volunteers from Marine Rescue Newcastle were deployed on board rescue vessel Newcastle 30 in challenging conditions last night to assist a sailing vessel with three people on board, which had become disabled off Stockton Beach.

  

  Marine Rescue Newcastle Deputy Unit Commander Rick Nevile said the 12-metre sailing catamaran became disabled off Newcastle while transiting from Sydney to Port Stephens.

  “The skipper of the logged on vessel called for assistance just after 9:30 pm.

  “The foresail on the vessel had blown out and could not be furled, and one engine had failed.

  “The crew on board the sailing catamaran were also battling issues with their anchors,” Deputy Unit Commander Nevile said.

  Newcastle 30 reached the disabled vessel, which was almost four kilometres north-northeast of the harbour entrance and approximately 500 metres off Stockton Beach, just before 9:50 pm.

  

  Deputy Unit Commander Nevile said the Newcastle 30 crew secured a line to the disabled vessel to stop it drifting closer to the beach and to assist in the recovery of its anchors before towing the vessel back to Newcastle Harbour.

  “Conditions were challenging. There was heavy rain at times and a very strong south southwesterly wind that made it difficult to manoeuvre around the disabled vessel.

  “The swell was also between two and three metres.

  “All persons on board the disabled vessel were wearing lifejackets, and the fact the skipper was logged on with Marine Rescue NSW reduced our response time.

  “We encourage all boaters to log on with Marine Rescue NSW either via the free Marine Rescue app or VHF channel 16.

  “Logging on ensures our dedicated volunteers keep watch for a vessel’s safe return and saves vital time in the event of an emergency.

  “The disabled sailing catamaran and its three crew were safely placed on a mooring in Newcastle Harbour just after 11:30 pm,” Mr Nevile said.

• Marine Rescue NSW volunteers safely return five people to shore after their vessel became grounded on the Karuah River

  January 26, 2025 11:09 am 3 Comments

  Volunteers from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage assisted five people on the Karuah River after their 5 to 6 metre vessel grounded in shallow waters.

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said the request for assistance came in around 11.20am yesterday, Saturday 25 January.

  “A volunteer crew on board Lemon Tree 30 was deployed under the direction of NSW Police Marine Area Command to assist.

  “The crew searched the shallow river for the grounded vessel, which was located just after 11.45am.

  “The five people on board had safely made it to a nearby beach.

  “After inspecting the vessel in consultation with Water Police, it was unable to be uprighted safely.

  “The five people were transferred by Marine Rescue NSW crew to a safe location at Karuah,” Inspector Raymond said.

  NSW Maritime were advised of the location of the grounded vessel.

  Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.

• Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers rescue nine people from vessel at risk of sinking 5.5kms off Swansea Heads

  January 12, 2025 10:59 am Leave a Comment

  Nine people have been returned safely to shore by volunteers from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie after the commercial vessel they were on started taking on water 5.5 kms off Swansea Heads this morning.

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said radio operators at Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie received a call from the skipper of the disabled vessel just before 9am today (Sunday 12 Jan, 2025).

  “The commercial vessel was taking on water and at risk of sinking. Multiple assets from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie were tasked for the response with rescue vessel Lake Macquarie 30 and both rescue watercraft (jet skis) arriving on scene within 20 minutes.

  “Nine people were taken on board Lake Macquarie 30 with the support of both rescue watercraft,” he said.

  

  “Lake Macquarie 30 was met by rescue vessel Lake Macquarie 31 at the bar where four people were transferred on board the second rescue boat,” Inspector Raymond said.

  “Both Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie vessels then transported the nine people safely back to the Swansea RSL wharf, no injuries were reported.

  “Lake Macquarie 30 then returned to the stricken vessel and assisted the skipper.

  “The six-metre commercial vessel was secured and towed to Blacksmiths boat ramp.

  “This morning’s response was a rapid team effort by our dedicated volunteers at Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie.

  “To have the nine people safely on board the rescue vessel and returned to shore in less than 45 minutes shows how highly skilled they are,” Inspector Raymond said.

• Volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW have been stood down for the day from the search for a missing 15-year-old boy

  December 25, 2024 3:19 pm Leave a Comment

  Under the direction of Marine Area Command, volunteers from Marine Rescue Terrigal aboard the vessel Terrigal 30 have been stood down for the day from the multi-agency search for a missing 15-year-old last seen in the water at North Avoca Beach yesterday afternoon.

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade said conditions “were good to fair, as the easterly winds have picked up slightly above forecast since just before lunch.”

  “The crew on Terrigal 30 began the search at 9:00 am after spending several hours searching yesterday afternoon and were stood down for the day at 2:45pm.

  “They conducted a parallel line search from North Avoca to The Skillion at Terrigal.

  “The commitment displayed by our volunteers both on the water and in radio operations yesterday and today has been exceptional, with our volunteers giving up their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to continue the search.

  “Our crews have returned to base and are awaiting further instructions from Marine Area Command,” Inspector Greenslade said.

• Volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW have resumed the search for a missing 15-year-old boy

  9:19 am Leave a Comment

  Marine Rescue Terrigal volunteers have resumed the search this morning for a missing 15-year-old off last seen in the water at North Avoca Beach yesterday afternoon. Volunteers on board Terrigal 30 resumed the search at 9am.

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said “the water swell has eased since yesterday, and search conditions have improved”.

  “The team will be conducting parallel searching from North Avoca to The Skillion at Terrigal under the direction of NSW Police Marine Area Command”.

• Marine Rescue Terrigal crew to continue search for missing 15-year-old off North Avoca Beach tomorrow

  December 24, 2024 8:35 pm Leave a Comment

  Volunteers from Marine Rescue Terrigal will be back on water Christmas morning assisting the multi-agency search for a missing teenage boy off North Avoca Beach.

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said a volunteer crew on board Terrigal 30 spent two-and-a-half hours searching waters off North Avoca Beach this afternoon before being stood down for the day at 7pm.

  “Marine Rescue Terrigal volunteers will continue the search at 9am tomorrow morning (25 December) on board Terrigal 30.

  “Terrigal 30 will conduct search patterns in an area to be determined by NSW Police Marine Area Command,” Inspector Raymond said.

• Marine Rescue Terrigal assisting search for missing teenage boy off North Avoca Beach

  6:07 pm Leave a Comment

  A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Terrigal has been tasked to assist NSW Police Marine Area Command with a search for a missing 15-year-old boy off North Avoca Beach this afternoon (Tuesday 24 December).

  

  Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said a volunteer crew was assembled and rescue vessel Terrigal 30 was deployed just after 4:30pm.

  “Terrigal 30 rendezvoused with a NSW Water Police vessel off The Skillion and is now conducting search patterns under the direction of NSW Police Marine Area Command.

  “Conditions offshore are choppy with 2.5 metre to 3 metre swell,” Inspector Raymond said.