Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers receive national commendation for daring bar rescue

by Marine Rescue NSW 16 Oct 02:05 PDT
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers honoured © Marine Rescue NSW

The courage and professionalism of Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers have been recognised on the national stage, with the unit receiving the Professional Volunteer Commendation at the Australian Search and Rescue Awards, held at Queensland Parliament House tonight (16 October 2025).

Hosted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Queensland Police Service, the awards celebrate outstanding rescues across the nation. Ten Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers (Alison Cameron-Brown, Robert Breskal, Robert Britten, Leonard Smart, Ron Caffyn, Chris Wood, Noel Woodward, Dustin Welbourne, Lilly De Belle and Grant James) were honoured for their exceptional teamwork during a perilous three-hour rescue on the Hastings River Bar earlier this year.

It was mid-morning on 14 May when a 15-metre motor cruiser with one person on board suffered complete mechanical failure while attempting to cross the notorious Hastings River Bar. The skipper deployed an anchor to stop the vessel drifting onto nearby rocks, but soon found himself stranded on one of the bar's most hazardous sections.

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie's vessel PM 30 was conducting a training exercise nearby when a distress call came through. "We were out training in the river with two of our vessels when we received a no-duff call — that's how we know it's a real emergency," explained Skipper Robert Breskal. "This was a 50-foot cruiser disabled right in the middle of the bar on an outgoing tide. That's not the place you want to be, and certainly not the place you want to be trying to effect a rescue."

With the tide running out and waves building, conditions rapidly deteriorated. The crew of PM 30 made four attempts before securing a tow line, but when the cruiser's anchor could not be retrieved, they were forced to release the line to avoid placing the rescue vessel in danger. "Our first priority is saving lives on the water," Breskal said. "But safety for our crew is paramount too. We had to think fast and come up with a solution that wasn't necessarily what we'd do in a textbook scenario."

At the radio base, Operator Noel Woodward was coordinating communication between the distressed vessel and the rescue crews. "We first spotted the vessel very close to the bar and tried to make radio contact, but there was no response," he recalled. "Then we got a phone call from the skipper saying he'd lost all power and couldn't retrieve his anchor. Fortunately, our boats were training in the river and could respond straight away, but communication was a real challenge — we were relaying information by phone to the cruiser and by radio to our own vessels."

As the cruiser's anchor began to drag, it moved into an even more hazardous position. Assessing the danger, the rescue crew devised an unconventional but effective plan. They transferred large bolt cutters to the stranded vessel via a heaving line, allowing the skipper to sever the anchor chain. Once freed, the cruiser drifted safely out of the bar's breaking zone. "It was a really fluid situation," Breskal said. "We had to adapt on the run — that's where all our training really pays off."

Second rescue vessel, PM 21, soon arrived to assist. A Marine Rescue NSW crew member boarded the cruiser and managed to restart one of its engines. With a high degree of difficulty, a towline was successfully established. The weight of the cruiser was a concern but PM 30 carefully towed the vessel across the bar and guided it safely to the marina with PM 21 in support. "The thrust provided from the sole working engine on the cruiser certainly helped us navigate the path to safety," Breskal said.

Unit Commander Greg Davies ESM said the operation demonstrated the professionalism and dedication that defines Marine Rescue Port Macquarie. "The team from the radio base and both rescue vessels did an extraordinary job that day," he said. "If it hadn't been for their quick thinking and calmness under pressure, we would almost certainly have seen lives lost."

After three tense hours, the rescue concluded without injury or damage — a testament to the crew's composure, skill, and teamwork. "Our volunteers are very highly trained and ready to respond to whatever situation arises," Breskal said. "That readiness comes from the ongoing support we receive from our local community, which ensures we can keep training and stay rescue-ready."

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.

Related Articles

Don't miss our upcoming must-watch free Webinar
Tracking and Fleet Monitoring discussion on 22nd October 2025 Yacht tracking and fleet monitoring are essential, yet traditional tracking methods face significant challenges. On October 22nd we are hosting an exclusive and free webinar, with an in-depth exploration of the latest in tracking technology. Posted on 20 Oct
Online course for entry-level boatyard employees
ABYC has launched a new online course The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has launched a new online course, "Introduction to Boatyard Basics," designed to help newcomers build confidence and skills as they begin rewarding careers in the marine industry. Posted on 19 Oct
State of the industry address delivered
By NMMA President Frank Hugelmeyer at the IBEX Industry Breakfast Last week at the IBEX in Tampa, NMMA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer opened the annual IBEX Industry Breakfast with a state of the industry address to a sold-out crowd of more than 950 marine industry professionals. Posted on 18 Oct
X-Yachts In-House Boat Show 2025 Preview
More boats on display than ever before this November at the yard in Haderslev, Denmark This November, the X-Yachts yard in Haderslev will host an elevated edition of our In-House Boat Show 2025. With more boats on display than ever before, guided yard tours, charter stands and a chance to meet our global dealer network. Posted on 18 Oct
2026 AMI Conference & Expo - Registration open
Geared specifically toward marina and boatyard owners, operators and managers The AMI Conference & Expo is geared specifically toward marina and boatyard owners; operators and managers; as well as dock masters, harbormasters, boat builders and repairers, and industry consultants. Posted on 18 Oct
"Coldmachine" wins an NMMA Innovation Award
Dometic kicked off the 2025 International Boatbuilding Exposition and Conference in winning style Dometic kicked off the 2025 International Boatbuilding Exposition and Conference in winning style, earning a National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award for its new CSX Series "Coldmachine" self-contained refrigeration system. Posted on 18 Oct
Bulwarks and Bulldust – Show 4 Season 3
Matt Allen AM on Brisbane 2032, World Sailing, and of course, the 80th Sydney to Hobart Episode Four - In the Captain's Chair this week is Matt Allen AM Posted on 17 Oct
Dockmate® strengthens U.S. Team
Jeremy Buckley promoted to Director of Sales and Bill Karmis transitions to Director of Marketing Dockmate®, the leader in wireless remote-control docking systems, is proud to announce the promotion of Jeremy Buckley to Director of Sales and the transition of Bill Karmis to Director of Marketing. Posted on 17 Oct
Introducing the Yacht Beam LED SRS Searchlight
Industry leading candle power, intuitive operation, and innovative features Yacht Beam LED.AI has launched its Yacht Beam LED Performance Series Searchlight (SRS 1000-SRS 2000), allowing enthusiasts to pierce the darkness like never before, while experiencing precision control and innovative features. Posted on 17 Oct
Introducing the brand new Nordhavn 46 MK II
This new model honors the legacy of the original. Nearly 40 years after redefining ocean cruising with the original Nordhavn 46, Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE) proudly announces the launch of its modern successor: the Nordhavn 46 MK II. Posted on 17 Oct
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERAllen SailingRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER