A boat capsized at South West Rocks bar on Thursday, March 14, with the two passengers on board rescued by jet-skiers.
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The "A bar-crusher" boat capsized on the bar of the Macleay River, with two people on board who were taken to hospital for treatment.
Jetskiers who happened to be out on the water were first on scene, taking the patients to land and calling NSW Ambulance for assistance.
Marine Rescue Trial Bay were contacted by about the boat and activated a crew to assist.
"We went out there to locate the vessel because it was a navigational hazard," Unit Commander Trial Bay Marine Rescue Ian Turner said.
The vessel was located inside the mouth of the Macleay River where it was pushed up against the southern breakwall.
Mr Turner said the crew were able to tow the boat "Under difficult circumstances" to Matty's Flat where the the crew attached the capsized vessel to a mooring bouy out of harms way.
The Marine Rescue radio operator performed a Sécurité message to notify all vessels in the area that there was a navigational hazard in the river.
Mr Turner says the easterly swell and currents of the day with shifting sands made the conditions dangerous for crossing the bar, however, other vessels managed to cross the bar successfully that same day.
"The swell was between 1.5 to 2 metres at the time," he said.
The capsized had signficant damage due to impact with the breakwall.
"The skipper would be very disappointed with the outcome," said Mr Turner.
Skippers are reminded to stop and observe before crossing.
"People can check the live bar cam, or or go to headland and go have a look and see what the bar is doing," Mr Turner said.
"When a skipper approaches a bar they need to stand back and look at the formation of the waves and remember the motto 'If in doubt don't go out'".
Boaters are also encourage to Log on and Log Off using the Marine Rescue NSW app and contact marine rescue via radio on VHF18 (international distress channel) if assistance is required.
"Marine Rescue NSW's motto is saving lives at sea," Mr Turner said.
"Primarily, we focus on assisting people and animals on board the vessel, however on occasion, if a vessel is a navigational hazard then we will tow it to a location where it becomes a non-navigational hazard."
