INCIDENTS on the water continue to keep both Marine Rescue Port Stephens and police Marine Area Command busy.
Just before midnight on 2 January, a large catamaran issued a Mayday call after striking rocks on the ocean side of Fingal Island.
Marine Rescue Newcastle and Marine Rescue Port Stephens coordinated the response.
The skipper reported white water flooding over the stern, and water inside as the vessel ground across a shoal, before moving free and turning for deeper water.
An urgent call went out for a SOLAS muster (Safety of Life at Sea) at the duty wharf, with a volunteer rescue crew assembled within 15 minutes.
“At 12.30am, the PS31 then launched into approximately 2m seas at the Heads,” a spokesperson for Marine Rescue Port Stephens shared.
“With sails working, lines snagged then cleared, the casualty vessel continued NE into deeper water.
“PS31 pushed out at 8–10 knots in heavy seas while the radio base tracked AIS and position updates, feeding fresh lat/longs to the crew.
“[At] 1:28am, PS31 reached the vessel.
“Conditions were too rough to safely place a crew member aboard to assist further, so we established an escort.
“The catamaran followed PS31’s lights back into Port Stephens, anchoring safely in Shoal Bay.”
The crew logged off at 3am.
Shoal Bay capsize
Three men were rescued after their vessel capsized off Port Stephens on New Year’s Day.
About 5.05am, police were called to an area of water near Shoal Bay.
Officers attached to Marine Area Command located three men, aged 42, 43 and 57, who had climbed onto the hull of the capsized vessel to notify emergency services.
Police were told that the vessel had encountered large waves while crossing the bar off Tomaree Headland.
The men were taken to Shoal Bay where they were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for mild hypothermia. No other injuries were reported.
The vessel was towed, and NSW Maritime was notified of the incident.
Heading out? Log On / Log Off (VHF 16 or the Marine Rescue app) and call early if you need help.
By Sue STEPHENSON
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
