Three men have been rescued after their boat capsized in the waters off Shoal Bay in Port Stephens in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Early Morning Emergency Call
Police were deployed to an area off Shoal Bay just after 5am on Thursday, January 1, 2026, following reports that a vessel had overturned. Marine Area Command officers quickly arrived on the scene to find the three men, aged 42, 43, and 57, clinging to the hull of their capsized boat.
The men had managed to climb onto the upturned vessel and were able to notify emergency services of their predicament. They reported that their boat had been struck by large waves while attempting to cross the bar off the iconic Tomaree Headland, leading to the capsize.
Rescue and Recovery Operation
The three boaters were successfully taken into Shoal Bay, where they were assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics. All three were treated for mild hypothermia following their ordeal in the water, but no other injuries were reported according to an official NSW Police statement.
Following the rescue of the men, the vessel itself was towed from the scene. Authorities also confirmed that NSW Maritime was notified of the incident for further investigation and follow-up.
Separate Marine Incident on Same Evening
In a separate marine incident in the same region, Marine Rescue Port Stephens was called to assist a catamaran that had struck rocks on the ocean side of Fingal Island late on the evening of January 1.
The rescue service reported that conditions were too rough to safely transfer a crew member aboard the damaged vessel. Instead, an escort was established, guiding the catamaran to follow the rescue boat into the safety of Port Stephens, where it anchored in Shoal Bay.
These back-to-back incidents serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and often hazardous conditions that can occur along the New South Wales coastline, even in popular holiday boating destinations like Port Stephens.
