Westpac Rescue Helicopter conducts two hour search over Port Macquarie coastline after report of distressed surfers

Just after 6pm on August 12, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by Ambulance New South Wales at the request of the New South Wales Police Marine Area Command to reports of two surfers struggling in heavy seas about one kilometre east of Port Macquarie's breakwall.

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit PM 30 skippered by Rob Breskal with leading crew Ali Cameron-Brown and crew Dave Clarke and Anderson Cameron-Brown were joined by PM20 skippered by Ray Angel and crew Naveen Lingaiah and Larisa Trapeznikova.

Unit commander Greg Davies said the conditions were challenging and crossing the bar proved difficult for both crews with four waves engulfing their vessels.

Using state of the art FLIR (infared), radar and spotlights PM30, joined the he Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Surf Lifesaving personnel to search the waters east of Port Macquarie with no persons or objects sighted.

"It goes to show that our high intensity of repetitive training in all conditions pays off. In this instance we hope that the people reported in the water have made it safely back to shore," Mr Davies said.

At this point, no-one has been reported missing. a helicopter spokesperson confirmed.

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