Two rescued from sinking boat off Lennox

Marine Rescue NSW says a local volunteer crew rescued two people from a sinking boat off the Lennox Head coast on Sunday.

The volunteers say a crew on board Marine Rescue NSW vessel Ballina 30 responded to a call for help early Sunday morning from the skipper of a vessel in distress.

Two people were reportedly on board a fishing trawler that was taking on water and sinking about eight nautical miles, or fifteen kilometres, east of Lennox Head.

Volunteers head out in the dark

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Rodney Page says the region’s 24-hour communications hub at Marine Rescue Port Macquarie received a call from the skipper in the early hours of this morning.

‘The skipper advised the vessel was taking on water and experiencing engine failure,’ Inspector Page says.

‘A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Ballina were deployed on board Ballina 30 just after 3.00am,’ he says.

Inspector Page says the crew of BA 30 had to head out in darkness in order to help.

Another call was received from the skipper just before 3.15am.

‘Water had reached the deck forcing the two people on board to abandon ship,’ Inspector Page says.

The skipper and crew member were reportedly wearing lifejackets and made their way safely into a life raft, with BA 30 providing spot lights and closing in to help.

Volunteers say the two people were safely on board BA 30 by 4.20am.

Marine Rescue Ballina Radio Operators have issued several Securites advising boaters in the region of the sunken vessel’s location as it is a navigational hazard.