Hunter Central Coast
On Mar 24, 2025

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

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.

Latest News

Hunter Central Coast
On May 21, 2025

Capability Enhancement: Marine Rescue NSW unveils new first-of-its-kind rescue vessel

Offshore search and rescue capability along the NSW coast has been enhanced with the addition of a cutting-edge, custom-designed vessel to the Marine Rescue NSW fleet. Named Marine Rescue 30 (MR 30),...

Hunter Central Coast
On May 20, 2025

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer call to assist weather-impacted communities

A dozen Marine Rescue NSW flood rescue and support operators, along with five vessels, were rapidly deployed today to assist communities impacted by the current weather event affecting the Hunter and...