Currumbin, Gold Coast man Steve Watson identified as victim of horror Tweed River boating tragedy

A Gold Coast dad who died after a horror capsizing incident on the Qld-NSW border was an experienced boatie and an avid fisherman, it can be revealed.

Currumbin man Steve Watson, 58, died after his boat capsized in the Tweed River on July 13, 2024. Picture: Supplied/Facebook.

A Gold Coast dad who died after a horror capsizing incident on the Queensland-New South Wales border was an experienced boatie and an avid fisherman, it can be revealed.

Currumbin man Steve Watson, 58, lost his life when his 6.5 metre half-cabin runabout capsized while crossing the Tweed River bar.

Emergency services were called to the North Tweed River walk about 6am after two people were seen clinging to the upturned hull of Watson’s 6.5m half-cabin runabout in big swells.

A rescue operation was launched involving officers from Tweed/Byron Police District, Tweed Heads Water Police, Marine Rescue, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, and surf lifesavers.

Mr Watson was an avid fisherman. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

Mr Watson was winched from the ocean by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew and taken to Duranbah Beach, but was unable to be revived.

The man on-board with Mr Watson was retrieved from the water by Marine Rescue members and taken to Tweed Heads Hospital to be checked as a precaution.

Police were told the men launched the boat from the Kennedy Dr boat ramp a short time earlier and were heading out across the bar when the boat capsized.

Currumbin man Steve Watson, 58, died after his boat capsized on the Tweed River on Saturday, July 13, 2024 after he attempted to navigate out to sea. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

Initial inquiries indicate neither man was wearing a life jacket, but investigations continue.

The bar itself has been deemed “dangerous” by many boaties, with some of the most experienced fishermen saying life jackets are “essential even on a calm day”.

It is not clear whether Mr Watson was driving the boat the time of the incident, but social media profiles belonging to him show several photos of the vessel involved in the tragedy.

The boat bears Queensland registration VA231Q and has been listed as a 2004 Noble Super-Vee 6.2m half-cabin runabout.

The Currumbin local leaves behind his wife Rae and two daughters.

“RIP Watto,” friend Claudio Pellegrini wrote on Facebook in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Several of Mr Watson’s Facebook posts dating back as far as 2011 show him enjoying fishing and boating up and down the east-coast of Australia.

Mr Watson leaves behind his wife Rae and two daughters. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

In his posts, he showed off several impressive hauls including a 15kg Spanish mackerel, an 8kg snapper and a reef shark caught off Nine Mile Beach on New South Wales’ Mid-North Coast.

In June last year, Mr Watson along with two of his best mates went on the fishing trip of a lifetime in the Solomon Islands.

Dramatic footage emerged of the rescue. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

The eight-day trip was “mind-blowing”, according to friend Brendon Knight.

“Just returned from 8 days in the Solomon Islands at Papatura, all I can say is my mind was blown, fishing was insane, the resort was awesome, and the hosts were so inviting,” Mr Knight wrote.

“The amount and variety of fish we caught over the 8 days was incredible, topping it off with a beautiful sailfish, and learning how to troll for coral trout. The guides knew exactly where and when to take us to the right spots.

Can’t wait to return again!”

Mr Watson is originally from Sydney’s southwest, and was a student at Picnic Point High School.

To date, no public details have been shared about a memorial service.

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Originally published as Currumbin, Gold Coast man Steve Watson identified as victim of horror Tweed River boating tragedy