The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the search and rescue of a solo kayaker off northern New South Wales.
AMSA Search and Rescue officers were contacted by the International Emergency Response Centre in the United States about 10.30am (AEDT) on Monday when the kayaker activated the SOS function on a two-way satellite communication system. He had advised his partner he was not in distress but was experiencing steering problems. NSW Water Police activated a vessel from Coffs Harbor to assist at the time.
A distress beacon was subsequently activated soon before 2.15pm when AMSA assumed coordination of the incident. A broadcast to shipping was issued and a merchant vessel in the vicinity responded. AMSA tasked a rescue helicopter from Lismore, its dedicated search and rescue Dornier aircraft from Victoria and a civil aircraft from Brisbane to respond.
The aircraft was down when the police vessel rescued the man about 4pm (AEDT). He was reported to be uninjured and will be taken to Coffs Harbour by police.