The multi-agency search for a boater believed missing north of Bermagui will recommence this morning (Wednesday December 14).
A search that involved the Westpac LifeSaver Rescue Helicopter, was initiated after an eight metre boat was found washed up on Haywards Beach, north of Bermagui, on Tuesday afternoon (December 13).
Marine Rescue Units, Bermagui 30 and Narooma 30, were tasked by NSW Police Marine Area Command to search Horseshoe Bay.
Volunteer crews on board both Marine Rescue NSW vessels conducted multiple parallel line searches from Camel Rock south to Bermagui Harbour from around 3:45pm.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector, Glenn Sullivan, said Narooma 30 was stood down just before 6pm, while Bermagui 30 spent a further hour on-water before returning to base at 7pm.
“Visibility and conditions were reasonably good for our volunteer crews who responded swiftly after being requested by Marine Area Command to assist the search,” Inspector Sullivan said.
“Volunteers from the Marine Rescue Narooma and Bermagui units will be back on-water at 8:30am this morning,” he said.
“Narooma 30 and Bermagui 30 will rendezvous off Haywards Beach with the search area to be determined by Marine Area Command in the morning,” Inspector Sullivan said.
Inspector Sullivan said a member of NSW Water Police is on board Marine Rescue NSW vessel Bermagui 30.
“It (the search) is coordinated by NSW Water Police, they actually have one of their coordinators on board BG 30 to provide direction and provide assistance if anything is located.
“Conditions currently are favorable, it is forecast to blow up (the wind) so we will continue to search for as long as we can until the conditions change or Marine Rescue is stood down by NSW Police,” Inspector Sullivan said.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators from Narooma and Bermagui are providing communications assistance for the search.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
Images: Marine Rescue NSW, Westpac LifeSaver Rescue Helicopter
