Marine Rescue Batemans Bay crew returns stranded fishers safely to shore

Four fishers stranded 15 kilometres off Malua Bay after their boat suffered mechanical failure this morning have been rescued by a volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said a call for assistance was received from the stricken vessel just after 8:30am.

“A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay was tasked and rescue vessel Batemans Bay 30 was on-water at 9am.

“Initially we were told the vessel was around 28 kilometres off shore but once our crew was on route the distance was actually 15 kilometres.

“Thankfully the forecast conditions weren’t as challenging as expected and our crew reached the distressed vessel in just over 30 minutes.

“All on board the distressed vessel were safe and the disabled six to seven metre cabin runabout was towed back to Hanging Rock boat ramp.

“Our crew responded swiftly and with the assistance of radio operators from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay completed the mission just after 11am,” he said.

“As the crew on board Batemans 30 were returning to base conditions were starting to deteriorate and the northeasterly has picked up,” Inspector Sullivan said.

“A hazardous surf warning is in place for the Batemans Coast so we ask all boaters to assess the conditions before heading out.

“For those further south, a gale warning is currently in place for the Eden Coast and it is not advisable to head out on the water,” he said.