29/08/2025 – 4.25 pm – POLICE UPDATE – Search for missing swimmer suspended – Port Macquarie
The search for a swimmer missing from a Port Macquarie beach has been suspended this afternoon.
About 3.40pm on Wednesday 27 August 2025, emergency services were called to Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, following reports a swimmer had failed to resurface.
Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District arrived and were told a 20-year-old man had entered the water a short time earlier and had not resurfaced.
Police with assistance from Marine Area Command, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Marine Rescue NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW, commenced a multi-agency search to locate the man.
The search continued during daylight hours until 2pm today (Friday 29 August 2025) when the search was suspended.
Whilst the multi-agency coordinated search has been suspended, taskings in the area will continue by local police, Marine Rescue NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW, over coming days.
29/08/2025 – 9.35 am – Marine Rescue NSW crews continue search for missing swimmer south of Port Macquarie
Volunteers and vessels from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie and Camden Haven are continuing to assist in the multi-agency search for a missing 20-year-old male swimmer, last seen at Shelly Beach on Wednesday.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said volunteer crews and radio operators resumed the search just before 8am today (Friday, 29 August).
“Marine Rescue NSW vessels Camden Haven 30 and Port Macquarie 21 are on the water conducting a parallel line search alongside a NSW Water Police boat.
“They are continuing to focus on an area between Nobbys Beach and Miners Beach.
“Offshore conditions are favourable today, with a 1.5-metre swell.
“Camden Haven 30 and Port Macquarie 21 will remain on the water until instructed otherwise by 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.
28/08/2025 – 4.00 pm – Marine Rescue Port Macquarie crews to continue search for missing swimmer tomorrow
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers and vessels have been stood down for the day after assisting in the multi-agency search for a missing 20-year-old male swimmer at Shelly Beach.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said rescue vessels Port Macquarie 30 and Port Macquarie 21 spent seven hours on the water today.
“With the support of volunteer radio operators, vessel crews resumed the search just before 8am. Both crews were relieved by fresh volunteers at lunchtime to assist with fatigue management and to provide fresh eyes on the water.
“Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers searched a large area today, from Miners Beach to Nobbys Beach, extending five nautical miles (9km) offshore, before being stood down for the day at 3pm,” he said.
Inspector Murray said Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteer crews, radio operators and vessels had been requested to assist in the search for a third consecutive day tomorrow.
“Crews on board both Marine Rescue NSW vessels will resume the search at 8am tomorrow (Friday 29 August), focusing on an area determined by Marine Area Command,” he 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.
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.
