3 June 9:08 am
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from Port Kembla have been tasked to assist NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service following reports of an entangled whale off Five Islands this morning.
Port Kembla 31 will act as the mother ship for the NPWS crew.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said a private vessel is currently monitoring the whale.
“We’ve got a good window of opportunity to assist with the disentanglement operation because the weather conditions are favourable.
“Marine Rescue vessel PK 31 will escort the NPWS Zodiac to the entangled whale shortly,” Inspector Sullivan said.
3 June 4:10 pm
Marine Rescue NSW vessels Port Kembla 31 and Shellharbour 30 are assisting NSW National Parks and Wildlife crews as they continue to help an entangled Humpback whale off Wollongong.
Marine Rescue NSW was called at 8.30 this morning following reports of a whale in distress.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said the volunteer crew on board PK 31 monitored the whale this morning while Shellharbour 30 was added to assist at 11am.
The specialist NPWS whale disentanglement team joined the operation just after 12pm.
“We have two Marine Rescue NSW vessels assisting with risk management for the entangled humpback and the rescue crews,” Inspector Sullivan said.
“There are other whales in the area which is making efforts challenging.
“Conditions have deteriorated slightly across the afternoon with a southerly wind change and fading light,” he said.
The rescue operation is ongoing.
3 June 7:53 pm
The entangled humpback whale located near Five Islands off Wollongong earlier this morning was successfully freed from lines at 4.34pm today by the NSW NPWS whale disentanglement team with the assistance of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers on board Port Kembla 31 and Shellharbour 30.
A successful mission and wonderful work by all involved.
For more information visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au
