
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers on board Marine Rescue Ballina 30 (BA 30) and Brunswick 30 (BR 30) assisted a solo sailor on board a 14 metre yacht after smoke appeared from the engine room around 2pm on Friday, 22 December 2023.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said volunteer Radio Operators at Marine Rescue Ballina received a ‘MAYDAY’ call from the skipper of the distressed vessel.
‘This afternoon Marine Rescue Ballina received a MAYDAY call via VHF marine radio from a solo sailor after smoke was seen coming from the engine room of the vessel.

‘Rescue vessels Ballina 30 and Brunswick 30 were deployed to assist the vessel, located approximately one nautical mile off Broken Head in the state’s north.
‘Fortunately when our crews arrived the vessel and solo sailor were safe.
‘BA 30 and BR 30 shadowed the vessel back to Ballina to ensure its safe arrival back to shore.
‘Firefighters will meet the vessel on shore and investigate the cause of the smoke,’ he said.
Log On / Log Off
Boaters are encouraged to always Log On and Log Off with Marine Rescue NSW every time they go out on the water either via VHF Channel 16 or the free Marine Rescue NSW app.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.


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