5 September – 1.00 pm – POLICE UPDATE – Body located in search for missing diver – Mid North Coast
A body has been located during the search for a diver last seen off the Mid North Coast on Wednesday morning.
Just after 10.50am on Wednesday 3 September 2025, emergency services were called to Myall Lakes National Park, Seal Rocks, following reports a spearfisherman had not returned from water.
Police were told the 32-year-old man had dived into the water near Skeleton Rock about 10.20am and failed to resurface.
Officers attached to Marine Area Command, with the assistance from Manning/Great Lakes Police District, Marine Rescue NSW, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, NSW Ambulance, and Surf Life Saving, commenced a multi-agency search to locate the missing spearfisherman.
About 11.30am today (Friday 5 September 2025), police divers located the body of a man nearby.
While yet to be formally identified, the body is believed to be that of the missing spearfisherman.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
4 September – 4.20 pm – Multi-agency search for missing diver.
Marine Rescue NSW vessels and crews from the Forster Tuncurry and Port Stephens units assisting the multi-agency search for a missing diver last seen at Skeleton Rocks on Wednesday morning were stood down for the day at 3:30pm.
Forster 30 and Port Stephens 31 are now returning to base.
Marine Rescue NSW vessels and crews from the Port Stephens and Newcastle units have been requested to assist tomorrow (Friday 5 September) and will continue the search at 8am.
4 September – 10.30 am – Marine Rescue NSW volunteers continue search for missing diver
Two Marine Rescue NSW vessels with volunteer crews resumed the multi-agency search this morning for a diver last seen at Skeleton Rocks yesterday.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade said crews from Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry and Port Stephens are assisting the search at the request of NSW Police Marine Area Command for a second consecutive day.
“Forster 30 and Port Stephens 31 are conducting a parallel line search in a designated offshore area between Mungo Brush and Yacaaba Head.
“Forster 30 departed base at 6:45am today and joined Port Stephens 31 in the search area before 8am.
“Offshore conditions are favourable with good visibility.
“Our crews will continue working alongside Water Police vessels until instructed otherwise by Marine Area Command,” Inspector Greenslade 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.
3 September – 3.45 pm – Volunteers and vessels from Marine Rescue Port Stephens and Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry have been deployed to assist in a search for a missing diver near Skeleton Rocks.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Stephens received a call from a vessel just after 10:30am on Wednesday, 3 September, reporting that a diver had become separated from their buddy.
“NSW Police Marine Area Command was immediately informed and vessels were tasked from the Marine Rescue Port Stephens and Forster Tuncurry units.
“Volunteer crews were quickly assembled and deployed on board Port Stephens 31 and Forster 30.
“Both vessels will search the area alongside Water Police boats.
“The Marine Rescue NSW vessels will continue searching until instructed otherwise by Marine Area Command.
“Conditions are favourable offshore with a one-metre swell, light winds and good visibility,” Inspector Sullivan 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.
