Hero volunteers killed in northern NSW yacht rescue identified

Two volunteers who died after their boat capsized while they were trying to rescue a stricken yacht in northern NSW are being remembered as heroes whose loss has struck at the heart of a tightly knit community.

Bill Ewen, 78, and Frank Petsch, 62, were among a crew of six who responded to a call from the South Ballina breakwall on Monday night about the vessel in distress in what authorities said were “extremely treacherous conditions”.

Their rescue boat capsized as it crossed the bar at the entrance of the Richmond River in 2½-metre swells, trapping some inside the hull and throwing others into the water.

Four injured crew members, aged 55, 75, and two aged 61, made it to shore. They were checked by paramedics, but are not believed to have life-threatening injuries.

A man in his 50s was found dead after his yacht collided with the breakwall and sank. He was not wearing a lifejacket and had not called for help.

The tragedy has shocked the town of Ballina. Marine Rescue Commissioner Todd Andrews described it as “the darkest night” in his organisation’s history.

Andrews said the crew who responded were experienced and qualified, and a risk assessment had been conducted before the operation.

“Conditions out at sea can change rapidly, and what may look like a calm situation can turn quickly,” he said.

Ewen was a long-time volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW. In 2020, he was awarded a Commissioner’s Citation – a prestigious prize recognising extraordinary bravery at sea – for his role in a rescue of two sailors stranded at sea after their vessel had sunk.

He had just celebrated his 78th birthday.

Petsch was a boat operator with Marine Rescue NSW, and had recently travelled along the North Coast of NSW helping train new volunteer recruits.

NSW Police Superintendent Joe McNulty said the rescue crew were “heroes”.

“It was extremely treacherous bar conditions at the time those marine rescue personnel went to sea … to save the life of another yachtsman,” he said.

“Some of the Marine Rescue crew were trapped in the hull, some were ejected from the vessel, and unfortunately two lives have been lost.”

Marine Rescue NSW notified police at the Marine Area Command in Balmain as they went to assist the distressed vessel, and “acted in accordance with the protocols that we have in place”, McNulty said.

“We received no distress call, no [Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon], no flares,” McNulty said.

“It was the good Samaritan on the breakwall … he raised the alarm and contacted Marine Rescue directly.”

Premier Chris Minns said the tragedy was a reminder of the incredible work of emergency services.

“In some cases they’re volunteers and, in their spare time for no money, they put their own lives on the line to protect complete strangers,” Minns said.

A tribute at the scene thanked rescuers “for your dedicated service”.

“It affects the community when something like that happens, especially when a rescuer is lost and those people risk their lives to go and help other people in difficulty,” Ballina local Margie Fitzgerald told Nine’s Today program on Tuesday morning.

A collection of floral tributes is growing outside the headquarters of Marine Rescue Ballina as the community grapples with the loss of the volunteers.

“This has struck us at the heart of our community, and we will feel this deeply,” Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said.

The volunteer rescue organisation completed more than 3100 search and rescue missions between October 1 and Anzac Day, helping more than 7000 people around NSW.

In March, Marine Rescue Ballina warned boaties of the dangers.

“The entrance of the Richmond River at Ballina has long carried a reputation as one of the most dangerous river bars on the Australian coast,” the local rescue branch warned on social media.

“This reputation has not arisen without reason.”

The capsized rescue vessel BA30 entered service in November after community fundraisers helped raise $150,000 towards its cost.