28/08/2025 – 9.00 am – Marine Rescue Port Macquarie crews resume search for missing male swimmer
Volunteer crews and radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Macquarie have resumed the search for a missing 20-year-old male swimmer who was last seen at Shelly Beach yesterday afternoon.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said two vessels were deployed this morning to assist the multi-agency search.
“Marine Rescue NSW vessels Port Macquarie 30 and Port Macquarie 21 departed base just after 7:30am.
“They are conducting a parallel line search from Nobbys Beach south to Miners Beach, pushing east.
“Conditions have improved this morning, with a 1.5 to 2-metre swell and very good visibility.
“Volunteer radio operators will continue to manage vessel communications from the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie radio hub at Town Beach.
“Our crews will remain on the water until instructed otherwise by NSW Police Marine Area Command,” Inspector Murray 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.
27/08/2025 – 8.00 pm – Four Marine Rescue Port Macquarie vessels and crews were deployed this afternoon to assist in the multi-agency search for a 20-year-old male swimmer last seen at Shelly Beach.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said crews from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie were tasked by NSW Police Marine Area Command just before 4pm today.
“Crews were immediately assembled and deployed on board two Marine Rescue NSW boats and two Marine Rescue NSW rescue watercraft (jet skis).
“The Marine Rescue Port Macquarie rescue watercraft operators searched the rocks at both ends of Shelly Beach, while the vessels searched from just behind the breakers, seaward for 3 nautical miles (5.5 km).
“Conditions weren’t favourable, with a two-and-a-half metre swell.
“It was uncomfortable for our volunteer crews, but they remained on the water until being stood down for the day at 6pm.
“Two vessels from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie will resume the search at 8am tomorrow under the direction of Marine Area Command.
“The volunteer radio operators at the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie hub did a tremendous job managing communications, and they will continue to support the search tomorrow,” Inspector Murray 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.
