A fisherman has died after a small boat capsized off Bare Island at La Perouse in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Sunday, following a wave strike that threw both occupants into the water. The man, believed to be in his 60s, was winched from the sea by a rescue helicopter but could not be revived.
What Happened at Bare Island
The incident is understood to have occurred approximately 10 metres offshore when a wave struck the small fishing vessel, causing it to flip. The man in his 60s was pulled from the water by a Westpac rescue helicopter crew and lowered onto nearby grasslands, where paramedics immediately began CPR. Despite their efforts, he suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
His companion, a 74-year-old man, clung to floating debris until he was rescued with the assistance of civilian divers. He was transported to Prince of Wales Hospital with minor injuries.
Witnesses described the harrowing scene as the rescue unfolded. "There's all debris everywhere. Someone got lifted out of the water and, like, lifeless. So it's like a dead weight," one bystander said. "I thought, oh, my God, what am I witnessing here? Really strange to see that."
Life Vests Not Worn, Police Issue Warning
Neither of the two men were believed to have been wearing life vests at the time of the capsize — a detail that has drawn a sharp response from authorities.
Detective Inspector Ryan Booker from NSW Police urged all recreational boaties to take basic but critical precautions before heading out on the water. "Wear a lifejacket, check the sea conditions, and wear the conditions before leaving," he said.
A Notorious Hazard for Local Boaties
Despite the water appearing relatively calm on the day, locals pointed to a known hazard in the area — a bombora, which is a type of wave that breaks unpredictably over a shallow underwater feature and can catch boaties off guard.
"The wave's quite forceful around the island itself," one local explained.
The combination of deceptively calm-looking conditions and the presence of the bombora is a reminder that even familiar, sheltered-looking waters can pose serious risks to those without the appropriate safety equipment.
A Reminder About Water Safety
The tragedy underscores the importance of wearing a lifejacket on the water at all times, regardless of the size of a vessel or how benign conditions appear. NSW Police have called on all boaters to check conditions thoroughly and ensure they are properly equipped before departure.
An investigation into the circumstances of the capsize is continuing.
