Volunteers from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie have retrieved a kayak angler stranded in waters off Pulbah Island after his craft overturned and became semi-submerged late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 3 December).
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Jane Shirriff said a crew from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie was tasked just after 4:30 pm.
“Rescue vessel Lake Macquarie 31 was immediately deployed, with the crew performing a contour search of the Island where the angler was reportedly in the water.
“Aerial assistance also supported the mission, with a rescue helicopter locating the man and directing the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie crew to his location which was between Pulbah Island and Point Wolstoncroft,” Inspector Shirriff said.
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Unit Commander Jim Wright said volunteers on board LM 31 retrieved the man from the water.
“He had been in the water for some time and was quite cold.
“The Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie crew checked his welfare and wrapped him in blankets to increase his body temperature,” Unit Commander Wright said.
The fisherman said his kayak became unstable and overturned. He was able to get back into the craft the first time, but it rolled a second time and filled with water.
“The man did all the right things. He was wearing a lifejacket — a bright yellow one, which made him easier to see — and he remained with his craft, which is what people in this situation should always do,” Unit Commander Wright said.
“The fact he was wearing a lifejacket and the swift response from both our crew and the rescue helicopter led to a positive outcome. NSW Water Police also assisted on scene; it was an excellent multi-agency response,” he said.
LM 31 returned the man safely to the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie vessel base at Pelican, while Water Police retrieved his craft.
Unit Commander Wright then drove the man home; he was extremely grateful to have been rescued.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
