Marine Rescue Brunswick volunteers rescue three men stranded on offshore rock overnight
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Brunswick battled darkness and deteriorating conditions overnight to save three men stranded on Cocked Hat Rock, part of the Three Sisters south of Byron Bay.
Volunteer radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Macquarie received multiple calls reporting people in distress and lights visible near the Three Sisters just before 9pm on Tuesday, 2 June.
Marine Rescue Brunswick was requested to assist by the NSW Police Marine Area Command. A volunteer crew was assembled and rescue vessel Brunswick 30 deployed to the scene.
Marine Rescue Brunswick Unit Commander and rescue vessel skipper Glen Parker said his crew used thermal imaging technology and floodlights to locate the three men on Cocked Hat Rock.
“We communicated with them through the hailer. They were relieved to see us but clearly distressed.
“The men told us they had paddled out to the rock, but their kayak had been swept away by the swell, leaving them stranded.
“The initial plan was to assess their condition and possibly wait until daylight to extract them because of the rocky nature of the surrounding waters.
“We threw a grab bag to the men containing jackets, water and muesli bars while we continued to assess the conditions,” Unit Commander Parker said.
During the response, conditions deteriorated as strong winds developed, and the men became increasingly distressed and showed signs of hypothermia.
“The situation was becoming urgent and, following further assessment and consultation with Marine Area Command and the Marine Rescue NSW Inspector, the decision was made to retrieve the men.
“We carefully manoeuvred Brunswick 30 towards the rock and were able to get reasonably close to the men, within 50 metres.
“Our crew threw a lifeline to the rock and, one by one, the three men made their way through the water from the rock to the rescue vessel.
“Once onboard, their condition was assessed and space blankets were provided. They were extremely cold but in good spirits and grateful for the assistance,” Parker said.
Deteriorating sea conditions slowed the journey back to Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour, with Brunswick 30 arriving shortly after 4am, where NSW Ambulance paramedics were waiting to assess and treat the men.