A rapid response by Marine Rescue Brunswick volunteers has saved a man’s life after his 4.9 metre boat rolled on Brunswick Bar this morning.

Marine Rescue Brunswick Unit Commander Jonathan Wilcock said radio operators at Marine Rescue Cape Byron took a call from a member of the public at 7:30am (Wednesday 17 April) that a vessel had capsized on the bar with a person in the water.

“Volunteer operators were immediately deployed on board Marine Rescue Brunswick rescue watercraft (jet skis) Brunswick 11 and Brunswick 12.

“The Marine Rescue NSW operator on board Brunswick 12 retrieved the man from the water and took him to South Beach where he was assessed by the operator.

“The man was uninjured but shaken and incredibly grateful for our assistance,” Unit Commander Wilcock said.

Because the man’s capsized vessel was a navigational hazard on the bar, the Marine Rescue watercraft operators manoeuvred the overturned boat to the beach.

Unit Commander Wilcock said conditions at Brunswick Heads were not favourable for boating this morning.

“There was a strong swell on the bar.

“The waves were breaking around 100 metres off the bar on a run-out tide making it quite dangerous.

“We ask all boaters to check the conditions before heading out and to not risk their life.

“There is absolutely no shame in getting to the boat ramp and deciding not to go out because of unfavourable conditions, it is not worth endangering your life or others for a day on the water,” he said. 

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