Marathon Marine Rescue NSW mission returns missing sailors safely to shore

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba, with communications support from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, have rescued two men missing on an 8.4-metre catamaran and returned them to shore following an eight-and-a-half-hour search and rescue mission.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said volunteers at the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie radio hub received a call from the missing vessel at around 9pm last night (Sunday 28 September). The men were approximately 22 nautical miles (40km) east of Sandon Shoal.

“Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba was tasked by NSW Police Marine Area Command to rescue the two sailors.

“A volunteer crew was assembled and rescue vessel Iluka Yamba 30 deployed for the mission.

“AMSA diverted the AMSA Challenger aircraft to the location reported by one of the occupants of the missing catamaran and provided updated positional information to the crew on board Iluka Yamba 30.

“Conditions were challenging offshore, with a 1.5-metre swell and wind chop.

“IY 30 reached the vessel, which was 26 nautical miles (48km) south-east of Yamba, just after 11pm. The crew checked on the welfare of the two men on board and secured a towline before beginning the journey back to Yamba Marina,” he said.

“It was a slow seven-and-a-half-hour trip back to Yamba, with the sailors safely returned to land at 6.30am (Monday 29 September),” Inspector Murray said.

“The two men were extremely fatigued but grateful for the assistance provided.

“The volunteer crew on board Iluka Yamba 30 was also fatigued, but they persevered in challenging conditions, while the communications support provided by radio operators from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie was exceptional.

“Our volunteers, at sea and on land, have had a very long night, but their dedication to the boating community is outstanding. They will all enjoy a rest today,” he said.