Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteers rescue man from capsized catamaran

by Ken McManus on 16 Oct 2016 Volunteers from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven were called out this afternoon to assist two crew thrown into the water from a capsized catamaran.

Strong north-easterly winds caused difficult conditions offshore and while one man was able to cling to the upturned vessel, the other drifted away.

Rescue vessel Shoalhaven 30 responded to a call for assistance and joined Westpac and Ambulance helicopters in the search for the catamaran.

Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteers located the vessel and one crew member, taking him aboard.

The other man drifted towards the beach where he was spotted and rescued by a member of the public on a surf ski.

Bruce Mitchell, Marine Rescue Regional Controller for Illawarra, said “The man rescued by our volunteers on Shoalhaven 30 is reported to be safe and well, although shaken by the ordeal. He has been transported to Greenwell Point and did not require ambulance attention.”

“We understand that the man rescued by the surf ski is also safe and well with no reported injuries”, said Bruce Mitchell.

The catamaran was unable to be rescued due to the conditions and is still capsized and adrift offshore.

“Today’s sunny weather has attracted a lot of people onto the water, but the strong winds are causing difficulties”, he said. “Marine Rescue NSW urges all boaters to take extra care and to always Log On with their local Marine Rescue base or use the Marine Rescue NSW App for smartphones to ensure that their boating plans are known in case of any emergency.”