Kayak angler rescued off Pulbah Island after Lake Macquarie overturning

newy.com.au – A kayak angler has been rescued from the water off Pulbah Island on Lake Macquarie after his craft overturned late on Wednesday 3 December, with Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers bringing him safely back to shore.

Marine Rescue NSW said the incident showed how wearing a lifejacket and staying with a vessel could help save lives, with a coordinated response from water and air assets helping locate the stranded fisherman.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Jane Shirriff said a crew from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie was tasked just after 4.30pm. Rescue vessel Lake Macquarie 31 (LM 31) was deployed to search the area around Pulbah Island where the man was believed to be in the water.

“Rescue vessel Lake Macquarie 31 was immediately deployed, with the crew performing a contour search of the Island where the angler was reportedly in the water,” Inspector Shirriff said.

A rescue helicopter also joined the operation, conducting an aerial search over the lake. Inspector Shirriff said the aircraft spotted the man and guided the volunteer crew to his position between Pulbah Island and Point Wolstoncroft.

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Unit Commander Jim Wright said volunteers on board LM 31 then pulled the man from the water.

“He had been in the water for some time and was quite cold. The Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie crew checked his welfare and wrapped him in blankets to increase his body temperature,” Unit Commander Wright said.

The fisherman told rescuers his kayak had become unstable and rolled. He managed to climb back aboard the first time, but the kayak then overturned again and filled with water, leaving him stranded.

Unit Commander Wright said the man’s preparation and actions in the water contributed to the successful rescue.

“The man did all the right things. He was wearing a lifejacket — a bright yellow one, which made him easier to see — and he remained with his craft, which is what people in this situation should always do,” he said.

“The fact he was wearing a lifejacket and the swift response from both our crew and the rescue helicopter led to a positive outcome. NSW Water Police also assisted on scene; it was an excellent multi-agency response,” he said.

After being recovered, the man was transported on LM 31 back to the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie base at Pelican. NSW Water Police later retrieved his semi-submerged kayak.

Unit Commander Wright then drove the man home, with Marine Rescue NSW saying he was extremely grateful for the efforts of all the agencies involved in his rescue.