Solo sailor escorted to safety after onboard fire off Port Stephens on Sunday

newy.com.au – A solo sailor was escorted to safety by Marine Rescue Port Stephens after a fire damaged his yacht’s electrical systems off Port Stephens early on Sunday 23 November.

Marine Rescue NSW said the skipper of the 12–15 metre monohull sailing yacht raised the alarm just after 6am, after an onboard fire left the vessel with severely reduced engine and electronic controls. The incident highlighted both the value of safety preparation at sea and the training undertaken by local rescue volunteers.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Andrew Harding said volunteers at Marine Rescue Port Stephens received a MAYDAY call at 6.05am via mobile phone from the yachtsman, who was about 2.5 nautical miles, or roughly 4.6 kilometres, south-east of Port Stephens Light.

“At 6.05am, volunteers at Marine Rescue Port Stephens received a MAYDAY call via a mobile phone from a solo yachtsman, located approximately 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 kms) south-east of Port Stephens Light,” Inspector Harding said. “The experienced skipper advised a fire had started in the vessel’s electrical systems.”

A volunteer crew was quickly assembled and rescue vessel Port Stephens 31 was underway before 6.30am to respond to the call. Harding said the situation stabilised when the sailor managed to put out the blaze and steer towards shelter.

“Fortunately, the skilled skipper of the distressed vessel was able to extinguish the fire and turn the vessel towards shelter,” he said.

Although the flames were out, damage to the yacht was significant. The heat from the fire melted the vessel’s electronics, making radio communication impossible and leaving the skipper with only a compass for navigation.

In consultation with the NSW Police Marine Area Command, the incident was downgraded from a MAYDAY, but Marine Rescue Port Stephens was asked to continue to the scene because the yacht’s engine and electronic systems had been compromised.

“The damage caused by the fire made the electronics inoperable,” Harding said. “The yacht engine also appeared to be stuck in gear, making manoeuvring hazardous.”

At the Nelson Bay breakwall, further efforts by the volunteers to disengage the yacht’s engine were successful. The crew of Port Stephens 31 then rafted the damaged yacht to the rescue vessel and escorted the sailor safely to an emergency mooring.

“The volunteer crew on board PS 31 rafted the yacht to the rescue vessel and safely escorted the sailor to an emergency mooring,” Harding said. “The Marine Rescue Port Stephens crew performed exceptionally well in variable conditions and reduced visibility offshore. Passing showers were also a factor during the operation. The skipper of the yacht should also be commended; his preparedness prevented the incident from escalating further.”

Volunteer crew member Matt Coleborne said the response showed the importance of regular, scenario-based training for rescue crews.

“We train for multiple scenarios every single week,” Coleborne said. “This incident is exactly the kind of situation we simulate. On the way to the disabled yacht, one Coxswain focussed on getting us offshore as quickly and safely as possible. The second Coxswain stepped through every scenario we might face on arrival, allocating roles and talking through our response options. Honestly, the training can feel pretty relentless sometimes in this unit, which is why it can all come together so quickly, even when you’ve just jumped out of bed at 6am on a Sunday morning.”

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