IT was a record-breaking 54 hour rescue mission in treacherous conditions from Lord Howe Island to Port Stephens.
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When everyone involved arrived safely, they kissed the shoreline, thankful the ordeal was over.
Officers from Port Stephens Water Police were recognised for their outstanding contribution to search and rescue in Australia, receiving a commendation in the Professional Search and Rescue category of the 2021 National Search and Rescue Awards.
Sergeant Tony Hogg, Senior Constable Matthew Gray, and Senior Constable Nicholas Leach were recognised for their efforts in a 54-hour operation to rescue three sailors from a troubled 11.5m yacht, the Solar Coaster.
The NSW Marine Area Command received a distress call from the crew on Monday 9 November 2020, 100 nautical miles west of Lord Howe Island.
On board were three men in the 60s - Port Macquarie skipper Stuart Watson and his mates Rob Snow and Neil Johnson.
A crew on another Port Macquarie yacht, the Cool Change, left Lord Howe Island and met with the yacht to provide assistance, but it was accidentally hit by the stricken vessel.
Assistance from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA was provided with the Challenger SAR launched to drop fuel, a satellite phone, and other supplies to the crew, while the Cool Change returned to the harbour in Port Macquarie.
The Solar Coaster's mast had broken, leaving the crew to navigate the vessel through large swell and strong currents with an underpowered engine.
The officers monitored the yacht over 48-hours before it became clear the crew - facing fatigue, as well as food and water shortages - wouldn't reach the mainland without assistance.
Officers from the Marine Area Command then conducted one of the longest non-stop tows by their command in NSW.
The officers covered more than 400 nautical miles, with seas up to five metres and winds over 40 knots, to bring the men and yacht safely back to shore.
The operation took a total of 54 hours.
Mr Watson of Port Macquarie Yacht Club, said the crew battled with four to five metre seas and storms as the rescue operation kicked into gear to bring them home.
"It was not very comfortable," he said of the ordeal.
Mark Morrow from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the National Search and Rescue Council Secretariat said the officers from Port Stephens Marine Area Command conducted this operation in extreme conditions and saved the lives of three men.
"All three crew performed their duties as police officers and mariners with extreme professionalism and courage under adverse ocean conditions and I consider them to be an exemplary example of 'Outstanding Contribution to Search and Rescue' in Australia," he said.
Port Stephens Water Police, Sergeant Tony Hogg, said the job was one of the most challenging rescues of his career.
"The sea conditions were very ordinary to say the least, we were getting continually battered on our starboard side for about 50 of the 54 hours we were at sea, but the professionalism and training of my team allowed for a successful outcome," Sgt Hogg said.
"Being an officer attached to the Marine Area Command has provided me with some challenging and truly unique experiences, which I would otherwise never have had the opportunity to be involved in.
"The satisfaction you get out of a rescue of this nature is very hard to explain, but we are extremely grateful we were able to successfully rescue these three men and reunite them with their families."
Marine Area Command Chief Inspector Joe McNulty said the professionalism of the divers and Port Stephens officers is nothing less than admirable.
"They undertook two very difficult, high-risk, challenging operations in adverse weather and aquatic conditions," said Chief Inspector McNulty.
"The Police Dive team developed a recovery methodology to return the two women to their families. Their actions were nothing less than brave under these extreme operational conditions.
"The Port Stephens rescue took 54 hours to complete, with a police crew surviving on minimal rest and sleep. Their professionalism, resilience and personal endurance were truly remarkable."
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