Marine Rescue NSW evacuates 60 passengers from sinking cruise boat on Hastings River at Port Macquarie on Mid-North Coast

A Mid-North Coast Marine Rescue commander has detailed the “delicate operation” to evacuate 60 passengers, including seniors, from a sinking cruise boat. Here’s the latest.

Passengers being rescued from a cruise boat taking on water in the Hastings River at Port Macquarie.

Marine Rescue volunteers have confirmed all 60 passengers, including seniors who needed extra help, were safely evacuated from a large cruise boat which began taking on water on the Mid-North Coast.

Port Macquarie authorities were alerted to the vessel in trouble in the Hastings River about 1.10pm on Tuesday.

The propeller shaft on the craft known as MV Port AdVenture (Rocks Rhythmboat) was hanging off and it was gradually sinking, said Marine Rescue Port Macquarie Unit Commander Greg Davies.

Marine Rescue NSW Port Macquarie Unit Commander Greg Davies.

The Cruise Port Macquarie white luxury catamaran operates various tours in the area.

“It took around three hours to evacuate the 60 passengers safely to shore,” Mr Davies said.

“Our Marine Rescue NSW crews did an exceptional job in executing the safe evacuation of the elderly passengers on board.

“They were all taken to the area near the Maritime Museum.”

Mr Davies said it was about 150 metres from the damaged boat to shore.

“The north easterly wind was quite strong and the disabled vessel’s anchor wouldn’t hold,” he said.

Passengers were rescued and taken to the Maritime Museum at Port Macquarie. Picture: Janine Watson.

“Marine Rescue vessel Port Macquarie 21 held the disabled vessel in place until a crew from Birdons (global maritime engineering company) arrived with a bigger anchor.”

Mr Davies said the boat remained anchored on the Hastings and was due to be collected at some stage on Wednesday.

He said “with the prop shaft hanging out of the disabled vessel and the threat of it taking on water it was a delicate operation to safely evacuate all passengers on board”.

Mr Davies said he “couldn’t be prouder of the volunteers” who embarked on the rescue mission.

The vessel which is usually available for private hire is described online by Cruise Port Macquarie as “the biggest and best vessel ever to set sail on the Hastings River”.

Experiences offered include dolphin spotting cruises, parties, weddings and shows

Cruise drama as 60 passengers rescued from sinking boat

Tuesday, 4pm: A rescue of 60 passengers is currently underway on the Hastings River at Port Macquarie as a large cruise boat slowly takes on water.

Authorities on the Mid-North Coast were alerted about 1.10pm on Tuesday.

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit commander Greg Davies said the propeller shaft on the vessel known as the Rhythm Boat, which operates various tours, is hanging off.

He confirmed the boat is taking on water this afternoon.

Sixty passengers had to be rescued from a cruise boat at Port Macquarie as it started taking on water on December 5.

Port Macquarie marine rescue volunteers in action.

“The safest option is to ferry the 60 passengers back to shore rather than tow the boat as it is taking on water,” he explained.

The 60-tonne party boat is anchored just off the Maritime Museum at the end of Clarence St, where the passengers are being ferried to.

Mr Davies said two Port Macquarie NSW Marine Rescue boats were involved in the operation.

A larger boat is retrieving 10 passengers at a time, with a smaller craft taking four each trip.