A swift response by volunteers at Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie has led to two anglers being rescued from a life-threatening situation off Moon Island.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Joel Pemberton said the anglers called for assistance from on board their 5.1-metre runabout after suffering battery failure on Saturday afternoon (24 October).
"The disabled vessel was anchored off the island, with the people on board attempting to restart their vessel.
"Marine Rescue NSW vessel Lake Macquarie 31 was deployed to assist.
"While the rescue vessel was en route, the anchor rope on the disabled vessel snapped in choppy conditions, forcing the two anglers to begin paddling away from rocks.
"Their vessel was in serious danger of being blown onto a bommie, and the skipper indicated they were beginning to fatigue.
"When Lake Macquarie 31 arrived, the disabled vessel was approximately 30 metres from the bommie.
"Our crew secured the disabled vessel and checked on the welfare of the two people on board before safely returning them and their boat to Pelican boat ramp," he said.
Inspector Pemberton said the vessel crew and radio operators worked seamlessly together to complete the mission.
"This successful outcome would not have been possible without the swift response from the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, where volunteer radio operators managed the situation calmly and professionally."
