Five people rescued after kayak and yacht emergencies off Northern Rivers coast

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers responded to two separate maritime emergencies along the Northern Rivers coast on Tuesday night, helping rescue three men stranded on an offshore rock near Byron Bay while also assisting after a yacht ran aground at Skennars Head.

The incidents occurred within hours of each other and ended without serious injury despite concerns for the safety of those involved.

Just after 6pm, Marine Rescue Ballina radio operators received a mayday call after a 41-foot yacht ran aground on Flat Rock near Skennars Head with two people onboard.

A member of the public helped an elderly passenger safely ashore before emergency services arrived, while the skipper later left the vessel after police attended the scene.

Marine Rescue volunteers issued safety broadcasts throughout the night warning boaters of the stranded vessel and possible debris in the water.

Less than three hours later, volunteer radio operators received reports of people in distress near the Three Sisters, a group of offshore rocks near Broken Head.

Marine Rescue Brunswick volunteers launched shortly before 9pm after multiple reports of lights and people in distress near Cocked Hat Rock.

Marine Rescue Brunswick unit commander Glen Parker said volunteers located three stranded men using thermal imaging and floodlights.

“We communicated with them through the hailer. They were relieved to see us but clearly distressed,” Parker said.

“The men told us they had paddled out to the rock, but their kayak had been swept away by the swell, leaving them stranded.”

The rescue crew initially considered waiting until daylight because of the hazardous conditions around the rock platform.

“We threw a grab bag to the men containing jackets, water and muesli bars while we continued to assess the conditions,” Parker said.

As winds strengthened and sea conditions deteriorated, volunteers became increasingly concerned for the men’s welfare.

“The situation was becoming urgent and, following further assessment and consultation with Marine Area Command and the Marine Rescue NSW Inspector, the decision was made to retrieve the men,” Parker said.

The crew manoeuvred rescue vessel Brunswick 30 to within about 50 metres of the rock before throwing a lifeline to the stranded men.

“Our crew threw a lifeline to the rock and, one by one, the three men made their way through the water from the rock to the rescue vessel,” Parker said.

“Once onboard, their condition was assessed and space blankets were provided. They were extremely cold but in good spirits and grateful for the assistance.”

The return journey to Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour was slowed by deteriorating sea conditions, with the rescue vessel arriving shortly after 4am.

NSW Ambulance paramedics assessed and treated the men on arrival.

The incidents come after a series of high-profile maritime emergencies on the Northern Rivers coast in recent weeks, including the deaths of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch during a rescue operation off Ballina and the grounding of yacht Wyuna 1 at Byron Bay.

Across the Northern Rivers, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers completed 204 search and rescue missions during the 2025-26 boating season, including 117 emergency responses, safely returning 451 people to shore.