Update: 14/08/2025 1:33PM
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers on board Port Kembla 31 assisted the multi-agency search for a missing fisherman off the Illawarra Coast today (Thursday 14 August).
“The crew on board Port Kembla 31 searched alongside NSW Water Police for three hours this morning before being stood down for the day at 11:30am because of unfavourable sea conditions off Shellharbour,” said Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey.
“Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and vessels remain on standby to continue the search if requested by Marine Area Command.”
Update: 14/08/2025 9:17AM
Volunteers on board Marine Rescue NSW vessel Port Kembla 31 are continuing the search for a missing fisherman off the Illawarra coast today alongside a NSW Water Police vessel.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said PK 31 resumed the search at 8:30am (Thursday 14 August).
“Port Kembla 31 is searching waters off Shellharbour and to the south.
“Conditions aren’t ideal offshore today but our crew will continue to assist Marine Area Command until instructed otherwise,” Inspector Massey said.
Update: 13/08/2025 2:41PM
Both Marine Rescue NSW vessels (Shellharbour 30 and Shoalhaven 30) were stood down for the day at 2:30pm.
13/08/2025 11:18AM
Marine Rescue NSW vessels and volunteers from the Shellharbour and Shoalhaven units are today assisting a multi-agency search for a missing fisherman off southern Sydney.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said volunteer radio operators from the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre were tasked last night (Tuesday 12 August) with conducting numerous radio calls in an attempt to contact the fisherman, which went unanswered.
“Marine Rescue NSW vessel crews were placed on standby overnight and deployed this morning at the request of NSW Police Marine Area Command.
“Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were deployed on board Shellharbour 30 and Shoalhaven 30 and began searching at 8:30am today (Wednesday 13 August).
“Both Marine Rescue NSW vessels are conducting a parallel line search along with a NSW Water Police boat.
“The search area extends from 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Port Kembla seaward.
“Conditions are favourable for an offshore search this morning.
“Both Marine Rescue NSW vessels and crews will continue searching until instructed otherwise by Marine Area Command,” he said.
Inspector Massey is encouraging all boaters always to Log On and Off with Marine Rescue NSW, either via VHF Channel 16 or the free Marine Rescue app.
“Logging On ensures our skilled radio operators keep watch for a boater’s safe return.
“It is also crucial that boaters enable the position update option when using the app — doing so means our rescue crews can respond faster and with greater accuracy, which could save your life,” Inspector Massey 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.
