More details have emerged about an incident on Tuesday in which two men escaped a capsized boat at Crookhaven Heads, including the part played by local marine rescue volunteers.
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Marine Rescue Shoalhaven radio operator Michaela Anderson and Shoalhaven 20 skipper Mike Boadle have been praised for rendering assistance during the incident.
Phil Campbell from Marine Rescue NSW said at approximately 4am Tuesday, a commercial fishing vessel, a 26 foot shark cat, with two people on board, overturned while crossing the bar of the Shoalhaven River at Crookhaven Heads.
The two fishermen were flung into the water in rough conditions, and were left clinging to the hull of the overturned boat in darkness.
"Just after dawn, the boat with the two fishermen clinging to the hull was spotted using binoculars by Marine Rescue Shoalhaven radio operator Michaela Anderson," Mr Campbell said.
"Michaela alerted NSW Police Marine Area Command who despatched a helicopter to the area.
"In the interim, rescue vessel Shoalhaven 20 skippered by Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteer Mike Boadle headed to the scene.
"A privately owned light plane in the area also provided support and helped by informing the crew of Shoalhaven 20 that the two crew had swum for the shore."
Mr Campbell said with the light plane and PolAir circling above, the two fishermen reached shore near the breakwater at Crookhaven Heads unassisted, where they were collected by Shoalhaven 20, and taken to Greenwell Point main boat ramp.
Mr Campbell said the overturned boat was pushed into the entrance of the Crookhaven River where the crew of Shoalhaven 20 were attempting to secure it so it can be salvaged.
The two men were interviewed by NSW Police at Greenwell Point.
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