UPDATE! Empty Boat Found in Search for Man Missing Off Bolton Point

BY IAN CROUCH/ OLIVIA DILLON

UPDATE:

An empty boat has been found in the search for missing Bolton Point man Ashley McKellar.

Police say a Westpac Rescue Helicopter found the boat about 20 nautical miles offshore about 11:30am on Thursday the 15th of June.

The multi-agency search for the 43-year-old is ongoing. 

EARLIER:

A multi-agency search is continuing for missing Bolton Point man , Ashley McKellar.

The 43-year-old was last seen at his his home at about 8.30am on Wednesday June 14.

When he could not be contacted or located, Police were notified and inquiries commenced into his whereabouts.

Police and his family hold concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Ashley is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with a medium build and short brown hair, and he wears dark-rimmed glasses.

It's believed Ashley may have launched his Telewater 4.8m Aluminium Runabout from from lake access at Bolton Point at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

The vessel has the registration plates VK844N.

A wide-scale air and sea search is continuing off the Hunter Coast by PolAir, Water Police, Marine Rescue, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Westpac Rescue helicopter.

Anyone with information on Ashley's whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

EARLIER:

A search is under way in waters off Bolton Point for a man reported missing overnight.

Police say 43-year-old Ashley McKellar set off in his runabout on Wednesday and has failed to return.

His wife raised the alarm when he failed to return home overnight.

Officers from Marine Area Command as well as volunteers from Marine Rescue are taking part in the search.

A Marine Safety Authority aircraft from Melbourne has joined the search along with the Westpac Rescue and Toll helicopters.

Missing man Ashley McKellar

Woman Charged After Being Rescued From Drifting Boat Off Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

A flood rescue has taken an unexpected twist when a woman was arrested after being rescued from her drifting boat at Port Stephens.

On Saturday, Marine Rescue and Water Police were alerted to a 3 metre tinny adrift off Tomaree Headland after the vessel ran into mechanical issues.

They rescued a 35-year-old Nelson Bay woman in driving rain and 25 knot south-westerlies who wasn't wearing a life jacket.

The unregistered boat was towed back to Shoal Bay Boat ramp where Police conducted a search of the vessel and the woman's belongings, allegedly finding a quantity of the drug ICE and cannabis.

The woman is due to face Raymond Terrace Court on January 10 charged with two counts of drug possession, mastering an unregistered vessel and marine safety offences..

Emergency Services Test Preparedness At Marmong Point

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services will be taking part in a combined practice exercise on Tuesday morning at Lake Macquarie.

Marine Rescue, the RFS boat crew, Fire & Rescue NSW and Water Police will be staging the mock exercise for three hours from 9 o'clock at Marmong Point Marina.

The scenario will involve a boat fire with injured people in the water, people stranded on the wharf and on the vessel.

Four people will play roles of injured patients on the jetty and boat, while two dummies will represent injured people in the water.

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie will take part in multi-agency exercise at Marmong Point Marina on Tuesday morning

Boat Destroyed By Fire At Salamander Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a boat moored offshore from Salamander Bay overnight.

Firefighters were called to Soldiers Point Road at 8.00pm on Tuesday to find the 6 metre timber vessel well alight about 20 metres from the shoreline.

An RFS boat was brought in to douse the flames.

No-one was on board at the time.

Efforts to tow the boat ashore and secure booms after the fire was put out were unsuccessful, with the vessel sinking in the process.

Newcastle Fire Command says there is no apparent pollution risk to the environment.

The cause of the fire is not yet determined and it's expected a salvage operation will get under way today.

Three Men Rescued After Yacht Sinks Off Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

A yacht has sunk in deep water off Port Stephens overnight, promoting a major emergency rescue response.

Three men were sailing their 12 metre yacht "Eleanor Dawn" from Sydney to the Mid North Coast just before 8.00pm on Wednesday when they decided to make for Nelson Bay for an overnight stay.

However, the vessel struck rocks on the south east side of Fingal Island and quickly sank.

The trio aged 70, 63 and 62  took to the water wearing life jackets and set off an emergency beacon.

This prompted a coordinated response from Canberra.

Water Police, Marine Rescue and at least two rescue helicopters were sent to the scene.

The men spent 40 minutes in the water before they made it to shore on Fingal Island where they were collected by a RAAF Helicopter and flown to Williamtown RAAF Base.

They were assessed by paramedics but did not require treatment.

The yacht, built in 1983 was worth about $12,000.

Police say its not clear if the vessel will be salvaged.

It's believed the yacht may have been struck by a Bombora off Fingal Island.