Marine Rescue NSW Middle Harbour and Port Jackson crews on Sydney Harbour for 62 days this summer

A Marine Rescue NSW demonstration – to promote an increase in services over summer – ended with the rescue of stranded boaties in Sydney Harbour. Here’s what happened.

A casual “demonstration day” with Marine Rescue NSW quickly turned into the real deal when the crew noticed arms frantically waving from a small tinny.

This masthead was on board the rescue vessel on Friday following a routine tour of Sydney Harbour, when the Middle Harbour crew noticed boaties in distress.

They caught a glimpse of arms waving through the rainy haze, hailing them down from a small hire tinny stranded off Grotto Point Lighthouse.

The crew acted quickly to rescue the fisherman after their anchor became stuck in rocks only metres from where waves crashed into the cliff-face.

They reached the boat within seconds, helping the fisherman prepare their boat to be towed and calling the hire company, before a tender was sent out to help retrieve the anchor and guide the fisherman to safer waters.

The dramatic weekday rescue was possible thanks to a major boost to Marine Rescue NSW search and rescue capabilities this summer ahead of the peak boating period.

The Middle Harbour crew raced to help the fisherman stuck near rocks off Grotto Point. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

From December 1 to January 31, the rescue service will have fully-crewed vessels from either Middle Harbour or Port Jackson out on Sydney Harbour for 62 days straight.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Dan Duemmer said the seven day service would be a “big jump” from years past, when crews were on the water for weekends, public holidays and emergency call-outs.

“The Greater Sydney region is the busiest boating area in the state, and volunteers and vessels from either Marine Rescue Middle Harbour at The Spit or Marine Rescue Port Jackson at Birkenhead Point will be on the water daily to assist boaters in need, significantly reducing response times,” Mr Duemmer said.

“To have that capability now through the midweek is excellent and ultimately it’s providing a great service to support the boating community.

“So if you’re out (on the water) during those beautiful summer days in December and January know we’ll be there ready to react, launch, and come and get you if you need us.”

The harbour units are manned by almost 200 volunteers. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

More than 340 highly-trained volunteers from units at Middle Harbour, Port Jackson, and the radio communications centre will be keeping a close watch come the peak summer season with New Year’s Eve, Boxing Day and Australia Day the busiest boating days of the year.

Middle Harbour deputy unit commander Glen Lighton said most accidents occurred at blind spots in the harbour such as Bradleys Head, rocky cliff locations popular with fishermen, and offshore waters beyond Sydney Heads where boaters lose signal and sight of land.

Already this year, the two units have returned nearly 1000 people safely to shore from more than 350 search and rescue missions and 28 emergency responses.

The Daily Telegraph took part in a ‘person in water retrieval’ demonstration. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

All of these prevented tragedies have been managed by volunteers who give up their own time with family and friends to protect others.

“Whether heading out on the harbour or offshore, it is vitally important for boaters to carry the correct safety equipment, always wear a lifejacket, and continually monitor the weather,” Mr Lighton said.

“A sudden change in conditions can lead to life-threatening incidents, such as capsizing or running aground on rocks.

“But we’re not going to charge you to come and get you or do a survey of your vessel to make sure you’re complying with the boating regulations, we are there to make sure people are safe.”

Marine Rescue NSW has 46 units posted across the state with vessels capable of assisting boaters up to 55km offshore, all co-ordinated through a 24/7 state radio communications centre and overnight on-call system.