A major search is continuing off Sydney Northern Beaches after a man died and a teenage boy was reported missing when a boat overturned near Palm Beach on New Year’s Eve.
Emergency services were called to the water off Palm Beach at about 11.35am on Wednesday after reports a vessel had capsized near Barrenjoey Headland, NSW Police said.
Surf Life Saving members pulled a man from the water and NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene but he died, police said. He has not been formally identified.
A second man made it onto nearby rocks and was rescued by a helicopter before being treated by paramedics, NSW Police said. He was winched to safety and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.
Police said the search operation is focused on locating a teenage boy who may have been a passenger on the boat.
The multi agency response includes the Police Marine Area Command, PolAir and Marine Rescue NSW alongside Surf Life Saving resources in the area.
Authorities said conditions offshore were difficult as crews worked the coastline and surrounding waters.
Rod McGibbon, president of the NSW Surf Life Saving Northern Beaches told that responders had multiple assets deployed including jet skis but the swell and wind were making the operation challenging.
The incident, on one of Sydney’s busiest summer strips, has again put a spotlight on holiday season pressure for frontline services and the risks around the coast as crowds head to beaches and waterways.
While police have not detailed what caused the vessel to capsize, the response underscores the coordination required when incidents happen close to rocks and headlands where swell and surge can quickly turn a rescue into a high risk operation.
NSW Police said anyone with information should contact Northern Beaches Police or Crime Stoppers.
For more on summer safety measures across Sydney, see our report on the security boost at Bondi Beach.
