Nine rescued from sinking boat off NSW coast

Nine people have been rescued from a sinking boat more than 5km off the NSW Coast.

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers saved those aboard the commercial vessel when it started taking on water 5.5kms off Swansea Heads this morning, it said.

The skipper called for help just before 9am.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said rescue boat Lake Macquarie 30 and jet skis got there within 20 minutes.

All nine on board were taken to safety at Swansea RSL wharf.

Lake Macquarie 30 crew then returned to the stricken vessel and helped the skipper.

The six-metre boar vessel was towed to shore.

“To have the nine people safely on board the rescue vessel and returned to shore in less than 45 minutes shows how highly skilled they are,” Inspector Raymond said.