Jenieva Collins, her partner Brodie and sons Bosston and Jardine jumped into the Hastings River to swim to Pelican Island on January 27.

“I was really tired, out of breath and I started to panic,” Jenieva said about the swim as it progressed.

She made it safely to the island, with one of her sons held close during the swim, but Jenieva was unsure about how to make it back and didn’t want to put her children in danger.

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers on jetskis were at the right place at the right time and helped the family of four back to shore.

“I can’t thank them enough,” Jenieva said about the volunteers.

“I just want to thank them for doing a good job. It was perfect timing.”

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit commander Greg Davies said it was an example of one of the good things the volunteers did on the water.

“We like the fact we are out there, and on the odd occasion, because we are out there patrolling and keeping a watchful eye out, we are on the spot to help them,” he said.

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