Two boaters who issued a Mayday when their boat overturned off Beares Beach, south of Bermagui, just after noon today have returned safely to shore at Bermagui Harbour.
The two men, visiting the NSW South Coast from Victoria, have been assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics and interviewed by police. Both aged over 50, they are reported to be in good condition.
The boaters issued a Mayday at 12.18pm when their 17 foot Haines Hunter runabout began taking on water. Both were wearing lifejackets, which they credited with saving their lives while they were in the water.
The Mayday call was received on VHF Channel 16 by Marine Rescue Bermagui via new marine radio infrastructure recently installed on the Bermagui reservoir and Dr George Mountain by Marine Rescue NSW to eliminate a communications blackspot in the vicinity of the incident. The Marine Rescue Narooma radio base also detected the call.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was first on scene, locating the two men clinging to the upturned hull.
Surf Life Savers reached the men on an inflatable boat and stayed with the pair until MRNSW vessel Narooma 30 arrived, followed two minutes later by Bermagui 30. The men were taken on board Narooma 30 and transported back to shore.
Master Denise Page and the crew of Bermagui 30, with the assistance of Narooma 30 NA30 returned to the upturned vessel to support Bermagui Marine Rescue while it secured the vessel for towing back to Bermagui.
Photo Narooma Marine Rescue
