Hectic start to the boating season

The summer boating season got off to a hazardous start with volunteers from Marine Rescue Units along the NSW coastline responding to 23 calls for assistance on Saturday and 27 more by 5pm on Sunday, with yet more calls following that including it's a base-to-base call after one rescue boat had been syphoned of fuel. 

Among the big rescues, MRNSW Northern Rivers Regional Controller Stephen Reading said two vessels had overturned in separate incidents off Tweed Heads.

In the first incident, one of the two people on board was picked up by a jet-ski operator and taken to shore. The other had been rescued by another vessel and was transferred to Marine Rescue vessel Point Danger 30 and taken to a waiting ambulance for transport to hospital. Three people from the second vessel were rescued, with one requiring medical attention for minor injuries sustained.

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry were also called out to the aid of a vessel in trouble offshore with mechanical problems.

In Sydney, Marine Rescue Port Jackson has gone to the aid of a fishing vessel experiencing mechanical problems 10 nautical miles offshore.

Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey said that with the exception of the Tweed Heads incidents, reports indicated that all problems were mechanical, electrical or fuel related.

"The fine weather for the official start of the boating season has seen large numbers of vessels take to the water with a high proportion of breakdowns caused by mechanical problems," he said.

"All boaters should ensure their vessels are ready for the boating season, especially those that might not have been used since last summer.

"In fine weather with calm seas, skippers can radio for help. The worst result of the breakdown can be simply an interrupted day. In poor conditions, a breakdown can be life-threatening.

"A rigorous boating safety check at the start of the season can be some of the best insurance a skipper can take for a safe and trouble-free boating season.

"Make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket and Log On with your local MRNSW volunteers by your marine radio or the free MarineRescue App for smartphones."