Horror houseboat explosion on Hastings River near Port Macquarie CBD: two hospitalised

Emergency crews were called at about 7.50pm on Wednesday (June 30) after receiving calls about a loud explosion near Settlement Point.

The boat was found near Pelican Island. Fire and Rescue NSW crews were taken to the scene on a Marine Rescue vessel where they administered emergency first aid assistance.

Fire and Rescue NSW Port Macquarie Inspector Gaven Muller said the pair, a 54-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, were lucky to be alive.

"Our crews got to work straight away and administered first aid on shore," Insp Muller said.

Ambulance crews arrived and the pair were taken to emergency at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter's critical care team was called and the man was airlifted to the burns unit at Royal North Shore Hospital at about 11.30pm in a stable condition.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Joshua Smyth praised the work of frontline crews at the scene.

"This was a large explosion and one of the two patients suffered significant burns to his face, chest and legs," Insp Smyth said.

"Burns are always dangerous because there can be parts of the body that are affected that can't be seen immediately.

"Our paramedics, with the help of NSW Police officers, did an excellent job in assessing both patients and treating them before they were transported to hospital for further treatment."

The 16-year-old boy was assessed at the hospital and discharged shortly after.

Marine Rescue and Fire and Rescue NSW HAZMAT units used gas detection equipment at the scene and deployed prevention measures to avoid any further fire threats.

Spillage into the waterway was contained.

NSW Police will assist Fire and Rescue NSW to retrieve the vessel and launch an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

The incident was heard kilometres away with many residents near the area saying the explosion was so loud it shook their homes.

It was a huge night for the volunteers at Marine Rescue Port Macquarie.

As this situation was unfolding the group's other vessel was dealing with a 40-foot cruiser in a precarious position off Shelly Beach. It had engine alarms sounding and its cabin was filled with exhaust fumes.

Another boat was reportedly stuck on an oyster lease.

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