Marine Rescue volunteers in two searches on NSW northern waters

by Ken McManus on 13 Sep 2014 Volunteers from Marine Rescue Evans Head and Port Macquarie were called in today to assist in two searches off the NSW coast.

At Evans Head this morning, the Marine Rescue unit took part in a search for a fishing boat that had not been in contact for over 30 hours.

Marine Rescue Regional Controller Northern Rivers, Stephen Reading, said, 'Westpac 4 Rescue Helicopter conducted a search of an area off Evans Head where the fishing boat was known to be operating. A vessel was located some 15 nautical miles due east of the port and was found to be empty.'

A major air and sea search for the missing fisherman is now in progress under coordination of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and NSW Marine Area Command.

Further south in Port Macquarie the Marine Rescue unit was tasked to search for an overdue vessel from its last known position some 21 nautical miles offshore.

Regional Controller Mid North Coast John Murray said, 'The fisherman involved is a regular skipper who Logs On when he goes fishing and maintains a reporting schedule of times when he will call in to confirm that all is well.

'He missed a scheduled call and the alarm was raised with Marine Rescue vessel Port Macquarie 30 being tasked to search the area where had advised he would be fishing.'

'The fisherman was located and it was discovered that a radio problem had caused the failure to call in. 'Mr Murray said, 'Even though this was a false alarm, this is an excellent example that demonstrates the benefits of Logging On and establishing a radio safety 'sked' of times to call in during a day out – especially if fishing alone.'

Marine Rescue urges all recreational boaters to get into the habit of Logging On with their local Marine Rescue radio base and establishing a schedule of times to call in during the day.