Volunteers from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie assisted a boater this morning after his vessel overturned off Hams Beach on the state’s Hunter Coast.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade said radio operators at Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie received a call from the skipper of the distressed vessel just before 7am this morning.
“At the request of NSW Police Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW vessel Lake Macquarie 31 was tasked for the mission.
“Members from Surf Life Saving NSW initially assisted the man offshore before the boater was transferred on board Lake Macquarie 31.
“The Marine Rescue NSW crew righted the capsized 4-5 metre boat which was located approximately 300 metres off Hams Beach.
“It appears as though the vessel was hit by a larger swell set which rolled the boat, throwing the skipper into the water.
“The man was wearing a lifejacket and we remind boaters to always wear a lifejacket, they can only save you if you’re wearing it.
“Because the stricken vessel was a navigational hazard it was secured and towed by Lake Macquarie 31 to Swansea boat ramp where the boater was also returned to shore,” Inspector Greenslade said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
