Three men safe after catamaran capsizes – Ballina

Three people were saved from a capsized fishing boat at Ballina on Saturday.

About 6.30 am yesterday (28 May), the 5.2-metre aluminium catamaran runabout set out with its owner and two passengers for a fishing expedition off Ballina.

Soon after, the conditions became unfavourable and the boat tried to return to shore. As the vessel waited to cross Ballina Bar, a wave picked it up and spun it sideways, causing it to capsize.

The three male passengers – aged 48, 49 and 50 – were all thrown into the water, where they began drifting north in the current.

Emergency services, including police from Richmond Local Area Command and the Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Service, were on the scene within minutes, and all three men were quickly retrieved from the water.

The men were treated for mild hypothermia and bruising. One passenger was conveyed to Ballina District Hospital with a minor arm injury.

The boat had been successfully anchored about 400 metres off Shelly Beach, from where it is expected to be salvaged.

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