Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie were tasked by Marine Area Command slightly after 6pm on Wednesday July 19 to assist with a multi-agency search for a fisher who was swept off rocks near Tacking Point. Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Rodney Page said crews were deployed on board Port Macquarie 30 and Port Macquarie 21.
“Marine Rescue volunteers conducted a search in deteriorating sea conditions between Miners Beach and Tacking Point,” Inspector Page said.
“The crew on board Port Macquarie 21 located the man’s body off Miners Beach.
“PM 30 joined PM 21 at the scene to assist with the retrieval and returned the man’s body to the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie base.
“Marine Rescue volunteers are thoroughly trained in search and rescue techniques, and sea conditions were challenging.
“This is a tragic outcome and devastating for the family.
“Our thoughts are with them, and all the people involved in the search.”
Inspector Page confirmed the rock fisho was not wearing a lifejacket.
“Lifejackets help save lives and we ask that all people wear a lifejacket when rock fishing,” he said.
Inspector Page said the Marine Rescue volunteers involved underwent a full debrief and have been offered counselling.
