Three fishermen are safe following a co-ordinated marine rescue response at Jervis Bay today, NSW Police say.
About 10am (Wednesday 8 August 2018), NSW Marine Rescue received a "Mayday" call from a 20m fishing trawler advising they had hit an unknown object approximately 15 nautical miles east of Jervis Bay and were taking on water.
NSW Police Marine Area Command were advised and took over co-ordination of the rescue effort.
Marine Rescue vessels from Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven Heads were despatched along with Port Kembla Water Police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The closest vessel, Marine Rescue JB40 was 12 nautical miles away off Jervis Bay and was conducting training exercises with the RAAF at the time.
The three crew members of the trawler abandoned ship and activated an emergency beacon (EPIRB).
The RAAF aircraft was diverted to assist and remained above the crew until the arrival of Marine Rescue vessel JB40, which rescued the crew from the water.
The three crew members were not injured and were taken to Greenwell Point.
Port Kembla Water Police continued to the scene to evaluate the condition of the stricken trawler, which is believed to be going down approximately 13 nautical miles east of Bancroft Head.
A safety message for shipping has been broadcast by Marine Rescue.
Water Police officers and the RMS are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
