The rescue involved saving three seriously injured men from their sinking motor cruiser north of Port Macquarie.

The unit is one of just two finalists in the Outstanding Team Contribution to a Maritime Search and Rescue Operation category of the 2019 International Maritime Rescue Federation Awards.

Winners will be announced in London on September 10.

The nomination recognises the mission by nine volunteers to save the three men on board the 10m cruiser, holed when it struck a submerged object off Crescent Head in the early hours of April 14.

The volunteers are, Port Macquarie 30 crew members Chris Condon, William Richardson, Reg McGlashan, Yolanda Bosschieter, Tony Hallett, Port Macquarie 20 crew members Robert Breskal and Owen Coulls and radio operators Graham Gibbs and Gary White.

Unit commander Greg Davies described the rescue mission as "faultless".

"The team did a fantastic job. It was a major operation," he said.

"I replay every scenario they could have done (on the night) and they could not have done it any better.

"Everyone kept their composure throughout the ordeal.

"The team on the water and the two at radio base did an outstanding job."

The cruiser was carrying three men when it hit a submerged object.

The impact saw the driver break his jaw and eye socket and suffer other fractures while another man suffered a broken jaw, broken collarbone, rib damage and other injuries while the third man suffered suspected spinal injuries.

"The driver could not communicate effectively while the other two were thrown downstairs and were literally covered in broken off doors, fridges, oven and other cabin gear," Mr Davies said.

"Because the driver suffered these particular injuries, our radio base thought they were south of Port Macquarie, and that's where our search started.

"We spoke with him three or four times and confirmed that position (south), however they deployed their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) we were able to find them."

The Marine Rescue crew decided to take the vessel in tow back to base but the vessel took on too much water and the decision was made to abandon the vessel.

That decision meant that the three crew from the stricken vessel and two Marine Rescue volunters were 'floated' off the sinking cruiser.

Mr Davies praised the efforts of the crew on the night and pointed to the dedication to training as key to the success of the rescue mission.

"We training seven days a week. We rehearse, and rehearse and rehearse," he said.

"Because of that training, when something like this happens it becomes instinctive and they get the job done.

"The members are just so dedicated and every one of them is a volunteer."

Mr Davies described the award as "very prestigious".

The unit commander also praised the Port Macquarie for their continued support of the Marine Rescue.

"At the end of the day, Port Macquarie supports us so well," he added.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos congratulated the volunteers for the international recognition of their skill, professionalism and courage in hazardous conditions.

"These nine volunteers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Marine Rescue NSW mission of saving lives on the water, working seamlessly to save these boaters from grave danger," he said.

Commissioner Tannos said the international recognition of the crew was well deserved.

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