Three fishermen rescued after boat capsizes on Ballina Bar

EMERGENCY services rescued three fishermen who were thrown into the water after their boat capsized while crossing the Ballina Bar.

The vessel was returning from Byron Bay when it suffered mechanical failure as it approached the bar.

The report indicates the throttle cable failed, leaving the boat without power.

Without power to hold its course, a wave lifted the vessel, turned it side-on and rolled it on the bar, ejecting all three people onboard.

Marine Rescue Ballina captain Geoff Hutchinson said multiple agencies worked together in challenging conditions to carry out the rescue.

“The Marine Rescue jet boat was launched and successfully negotiated the difficult bar conditions, with seas estimated at two to three metres,” he said.

“Shortly afterwards, we were advised that two of the fishermen had already been brought safely ashore in a surf lifesaving inflatable rescue boat, while the third was rescued by a surfer who happened to be nearby at the time.”

The capsized vessel drifted north before washing ashore at Shelly Beach, where it remained partially embedded halfway up the sand.

Members of the public later gathered at Shelly Beach to view the damaged boat.

The surf lifesavers on duty kept the area clear before the boat was recovered and loaded onto a trailer.

Hutchinson said the incident ended without loss of life or serious injury.

“This outcome can be credited to the vigilance, training and cooperation of all involved,” he said.

The incident occurred just 24 hours after the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to search for a reported missing swimmer between Lighthouse Beach and Shelly Beach.

The search involved extensive aerial coverage alongside marine crews from Ballina Surf Life Saving and Ballina Marine Rescue, with the swimmer returning safely to shore without requiring medical assistance.