Latest news with #MarineRescue
ABC News
2 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Wreckage washes up near Wollongong amid search for missing fisherman
The wreckage of a fishing boat has washed ashore a day after it capsized off the coast of Wollongong but a fisherman who was aboard is yet to be found. Emergency services responded to a distress call about 1pm on Sunday after the boat capsized near the breakwall off the coast of the Port Kembla steelworks. An 18-year-old man swam to safety but the other occupant, a 78-year-old man, has not been since since. Marine Rescue personnel, NSW Police divers and Surf Life Saving (SLS) volunteers continued the search on Monday, along with a Westpac Rescue Helicopter. SLS NSW duty officer Anthony Turner said the fishermen were visiting the area. "We have spoken to a number of the families who have just been visiting here," he said. "They have thanked the lifesavers and the emergency services who have been out there searching for the last two days. Part of the wrecked boat was found about 9:30am on Monday and taken to Port Kembla Harbour. Search teams found contents from the boat throughout the day, including an esky and a life jacket. "Unfortunately, the person has not been located yet but a number of items from the fishing vessel which has broken up, have been retrieved and brought back to Port Kembla Harbour," Mr Turner said.
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Lower Hunter councils prepare to mop up expensive storm damage bill
MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline. MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline. MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline. MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline.
ABC News
14-05-2025
- ABC News
Missing Newcastle boatie Ashley McKellar had plan to swim with whales, inquest hears
A coroner has found a missing New South Wales boatie may have tried to swim with whales before he disappeared. Bolton Point man Ashley McKellar, 43, left Swansea Heads alone in his 4.8-metre runabout on June 14, 2023. The aluminium boat was found 20 nautical miles offshore more than 16 hours after he was reported missing. An inquest into his disappearance was held today before Deputy State Coroner Rebecca Hosking. Police advocate Danny Winter assisted the coroner and told the court Mr McKellar was a strong swimmer. "He would scuba dive, snorkel and free-dive and loved the water," Mr Winter said. Mr McKellar headed out onto the ocean early in the day ahead of a work meeting that afternoon. The inquest heard he did not attend the meeting or return calls from his wife. Mr McKellar was reported missing at about 7pm that night. Mr Winter told the court there had been no EPIRB activation and an air, water and land search commenced the next day. He said the operation involved PolAir, Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the region's rescue helicopter. "At 10:50 [in the morning] a sergeant received information that a commercial ship located a small, white, unmanned vessel," Mr Winter said. No one was onboard and Mr McKellar's clothes were found folded alongside his life jacket. His phone was nearby and the battery was flat. "There was no onboard GPS, no fish finder," Mr Winter said. Mr Winter said Mr McKellar might have jumped into the ocean to swim with whales. "He told his wife if a whale was located he was prepared to get into the water to swim with it," Mr Winter said. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, whales migrate north along the NSW coast during May and June each year. Under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 all watercraft, including boats, surfboards, surf skis and kayaks must maintain a minimum distance of 100 metres from a whale and at least 300m if a calf is present. Restrictions also apply to swimmers, snorkellers, and divers. The inquest was told Mr McKellar spent a lot of time at Moon Island off Swansea, where whale sightings were common, and was headed there that day. "Whale migration had been strong in the area and it was a popular spot in viewing for Mr McKellar," Mr Winter said. Magistrate Hosking highlighted that evidence in her findings. "In 2019 he expressed [to his wife] he was going to jump in and swim if they saw whales in the water again," she said. Magistrate Hosking also noted that a rope trailing from the boat's propeller could have caused problems. "On the available evidence it appears likely that between 10:46am and 2pm he turned the boat's engine to the 'off' position, took off his life jacket and outer layer of clothes and voluntarily entered the water," she said. Magistrate Hosking said there was no evidence relating to what happened next. "As such I am unable to make a finding in relation to manner of death," she said. Magistrate Hosking recommended that "the investigation into the death of Ashley McKellar be referred back to police for monitoring". Earlier Mr McKellar's wife quietly wiped away tears as Magistrate Hosking offered her condolences to the family.
The Advertiser
12-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Inquest to explore mystery of what happened to missing boatie Ashley McKellar
A CORONIAL inquest on Wednesday will attempt to provide answers to the mystery disappearance of Ashley McKellar, an experienced boatie who vanished without a trace after heading out of Swansea Heads on a clear day nearly two years ago. Mr McKellar, 43, a popular member of the Lake Macquarie sailing community, an engineer and a master instructor and fourth degree black belt in karate, was last seen at Bolton Point about 8.30am on June 14, 2023. Police believe Mr McKellar launched his boat, a Telewater 4.8 metre aluminium runabout, from the lake access at Bolton Point about 10.30am that day. But by about 6.30pm, when he could not be contacted or located, his family raised the alarm. Authorities launched a multi-agency search, including helicopter crews, water police, five Marine Rescue vessels and surf lifesavers and spent the following days scouring the coastline from Anna Bay to Norah Head. Conditions were reportedly clear with light winds and half-metre seas and an Australian Maritime Safety Authority aircraft dropped datum marker buoys to assist with drift modelling to determine the search area. However, the day after Mr McKellar was reported missing, his boat was found abandoned 20 nautical miles offshore. He is suspected to have drowned. But a coronial inquest in NSW State Coroner's Court on Wednesday will focus on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, whether he could still be alive and, if not, whether a manner of death can be determined. Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre at Warners Bay said in an online memorial that Mr McKellar had travelled extensively, including multiple times to Japan to study. "Shihan Ashley McKellar, a fourth degree black belt, has trained in Chitokai karate since his early teen years," the memorial reads. "He has travelled the world studying martial arts, spending a year at a Shaolin temple, training in Capoeira in Brazil and Tai Chi in Ireland. "Shihan Ash was lost at sea in 2023. "We will always remember his dedication, integrity, humility, and generosity. "His contributions to Ryusei Chitokai Karate live on in our memories of him." Scott Ellis, an old friend, described Mr McKellar as an "absolutely amazing person" who was "always smiling and full of life and energy" and recounted how the Bolton Point man had once spent six months in a martial arts monastery in order to get out of his comfort zone. The coronial inquest is listed for a one-day hearing before Deputy State Corner Magistrate Rebecca Hosking. A CORONIAL inquest on Wednesday will attempt to provide answers to the mystery disappearance of Ashley McKellar, an experienced boatie who vanished without a trace after heading out of Swansea Heads on a clear day nearly two years ago. Mr McKellar, 43, a popular member of the Lake Macquarie sailing community, an engineer and a master instructor and fourth degree black belt in karate, was last seen at Bolton Point about 8.30am on June 14, 2023. Police believe Mr McKellar launched his boat, a Telewater 4.8 metre aluminium runabout, from the lake access at Bolton Point about 10.30am that day. But by about 6.30pm, when he could not be contacted or located, his family raised the alarm. Authorities launched a multi-agency search, including helicopter crews, water police, five Marine Rescue vessels and surf lifesavers and spent the following days scouring the coastline from Anna Bay to Norah Head. Conditions were reportedly clear with light winds and half-metre seas and an Australian Maritime Safety Authority aircraft dropped datum marker buoys to assist with drift modelling to determine the search area. However, the day after Mr McKellar was reported missing, his boat was found abandoned 20 nautical miles offshore. He is suspected to have drowned. But a coronial inquest in NSW State Coroner's Court on Wednesday will focus on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, whether he could still be alive and, if not, whether a manner of death can be determined. Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre at Warners Bay said in an online memorial that Mr McKellar had travelled extensively, including multiple times to Japan to study. "Shihan Ashley McKellar, a fourth degree black belt, has trained in Chitokai karate since his early teen years," the memorial reads. "He has travelled the world studying martial arts, spending a year at a Shaolin temple, training in Capoeira in Brazil and Tai Chi in Ireland. "Shihan Ash was lost at sea in 2023. "We will always remember his dedication, integrity, humility, and generosity. "His contributions to Ryusei Chitokai Karate live on in our memories of him." Scott Ellis, an old friend, described Mr McKellar as an "absolutely amazing person" who was "always smiling and full of life and energy" and recounted how the Bolton Point man had once spent six months in a martial arts monastery in order to get out of his comfort zone. The coronial inquest is listed for a one-day hearing before Deputy State Corner Magistrate Rebecca Hosking. A CORONIAL inquest on Wednesday will attempt to provide answers to the mystery disappearance of Ashley McKellar, an experienced boatie who vanished without a trace after heading out of Swansea Heads on a clear day nearly two years ago. Mr McKellar, 43, a popular member of the Lake Macquarie sailing community, an engineer and a master instructor and fourth degree black belt in karate, was last seen at Bolton Point about 8.30am on June 14, 2023. Police believe Mr McKellar launched his boat, a Telewater 4.8 metre aluminium runabout, from the lake access at Bolton Point about 10.30am that day. But by about 6.30pm, when he could not be contacted or located, his family raised the alarm. Authorities launched a multi-agency search, including helicopter crews, water police, five Marine Rescue vessels and surf lifesavers and spent the following days scouring the coastline from Anna Bay to Norah Head. Conditions were reportedly clear with light winds and half-metre seas and an Australian Maritime Safety Authority aircraft dropped datum marker buoys to assist with drift modelling to determine the search area. However, the day after Mr McKellar was reported missing, his boat was found abandoned 20 nautical miles offshore. He is suspected to have drowned. But a coronial inquest in NSW State Coroner's Court on Wednesday will focus on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, whether he could still be alive and, if not, whether a manner of death can be determined. Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre at Warners Bay said in an online memorial that Mr McKellar had travelled extensively, including multiple times to Japan to study. "Shihan Ashley McKellar, a fourth degree black belt, has trained in Chitokai karate since his early teen years," the memorial reads. "He has travelled the world studying martial arts, spending a year at a Shaolin temple, training in Capoeira in Brazil and Tai Chi in Ireland. "Shihan Ash was lost at sea in 2023. "We will always remember his dedication, integrity, humility, and generosity. "His contributions to Ryusei Chitokai Karate live on in our memories of him." Scott Ellis, an old friend, described Mr McKellar as an "absolutely amazing person" who was "always smiling and full of life and energy" and recounted how the Bolton Point man had once spent six months in a martial arts monastery in order to get out of his comfort zone. The coronial inquest is listed for a one-day hearing before Deputy State Corner Magistrate Rebecca Hosking. A CORONIAL inquest on Wednesday will attempt to provide answers to the mystery disappearance of Ashley McKellar, an experienced boatie who vanished without a trace after heading out of Swansea Heads on a clear day nearly two years ago. Mr McKellar, 43, a popular member of the Lake Macquarie sailing community, an engineer and a master instructor and fourth degree black belt in karate, was last seen at Bolton Point about 8.30am on June 14, 2023. Police believe Mr McKellar launched his boat, a Telewater 4.8 metre aluminium runabout, from the lake access at Bolton Point about 10.30am that day. But by about 6.30pm, when he could not be contacted or located, his family raised the alarm. Authorities launched a multi-agency search, including helicopter crews, water police, five Marine Rescue vessels and surf lifesavers and spent the following days scouring the coastline from Anna Bay to Norah Head. Conditions were reportedly clear with light winds and half-metre seas and an Australian Maritime Safety Authority aircraft dropped datum marker buoys to assist with drift modelling to determine the search area. However, the day after Mr McKellar was reported missing, his boat was found abandoned 20 nautical miles offshore. He is suspected to have drowned. But a coronial inquest in NSW State Coroner's Court on Wednesday will focus on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, whether he could still be alive and, if not, whether a manner of death can be determined. Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre at Warners Bay said in an online memorial that Mr McKellar had travelled extensively, including multiple times to Japan to study. "Shihan Ashley McKellar, a fourth degree black belt, has trained in Chitokai karate since his early teen years," the memorial reads. "He has travelled the world studying martial arts, spending a year at a Shaolin temple, training in Capoeira in Brazil and Tai Chi in Ireland. "Shihan Ash was lost at sea in 2023. "We will always remember his dedication, integrity, humility, and generosity. "His contributions to Ryusei Chitokai Karate live on in our memories of him." Scott Ellis, an old friend, described Mr McKellar as an "absolutely amazing person" who was "always smiling and full of life and energy" and recounted how the Bolton Point man had once spent six months in a martial arts monastery in order to get out of his comfort zone. The coronial inquest is listed for a one-day hearing before Deputy State Corner Magistrate Rebecca Hosking.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Daytona Beach Fire Department boosts emergency response with new marine rescue boat
The Daytona Beach Fire Department has its own boat to assist in emergencies on the Halifax River and only Channel 9 went for a ride to see how this would improve response times on the water. The bright red boat can now be seen navigating the Intracoastal Waterway in Daytona Beach. Its purpose is to safeguard the residents and visitors of the Halifax River. Fire Chief Dru Driscoll mentioned that having their own boat allows his team to reach emergencies faster. 'Sometimes we had to commandeer a boat from someone else to give us a lift to rescue people,' he said. The boat, called Marine Rescue One, is equipped with advanced technology, such as sonar, to help in search and rescue operations. It is also equipped with all the standard emergency medical services gear to save people during emergencies. The boat also features a deck gun that pumps 1,250 gallons of water per minute, which can assist firefighters during emergencies both on the water and on land. 'That's the largest fire pump from Jacksonville to Port Canaveral. Accessibility for the homes facing the waterway is restricted in many locations so with this tool it allows us to provide water in a more accessible way should we have to fight fires at one of these homes,' Driscoll said. The city of Daytona Beach is exploring ways to expand the use of the Intracoastal Waterway for entertainment and water taxis. Firefighters hope to be part of this plan by helping to clear hazards from the Halifax. 'One of our responsibilities is to patrol and ensure safety, but we also keep an eye out for derelict boats that could impact the waterway,' Driscoll said. The boat was funded by a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District and funds from two city commissioners' American Rescue Plan allocations. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
