Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie were tasked by Marine Area Command just after 6pm last night (Wednesday July 19) to assist with a multi-agency search for a fisherman who was swept off rocks near Tacking Point.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Rodney Page said crews were deployed on board Port Macquarie 30 and Port Macquarie 21.
“Marine Rescue volunteers conducted a search in deteriorating sea conditions between Miners Beach and Tacking Point.
“The crew on board Port Macquarie 21 located the man’s body off Miners Beach,” he said.
“PM 30 joined PM 21 at the scene to assist with the retrieval and returned the man’s body to the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie base,” Inspector Page said.
“Marine Rescue volunteers are thoroughly trained in search and rescue techniques and sea conditions were challenging last night.
“This is a tragic outcome and devastating for the family.
“Our thoughts are with them and all the people involved in the search,” he said.
Inspector Page confirmed the rock fisherman was not wearing a lifejacket.
“Lifejackets help save lives and we ask that all people wear a lifejacket when rock fishing,” he said.
Inspector Page said the Marine Rescue volunteers involved underwent a full debrief last night and have been offered counselling.
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