Three people are alive today thanks to a meticulous rescue operation by a group of vigilant onlookers, a rescue device known as an angel ring, the heroics of an off duty policeman and an ounce of luck.
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The trio - an 8-year-old boy, his 15-year-old sister, originally from the US, and their 44-year-old stepmother on a visit to Port Stephens - were rescued exhausted but safe after being washed into a treacherous sea from a Boat Harbour rockpool.
"This was a situation where the stars aligned and a tragedy was avoided," said Nelson Bay Water Police Senior Constable Matt Gray.
"The efforts of all concerned were praiseworthy, most significantly that of Sgt Andrew Parker, a longtime surf lifeguard and water policeman, and a local fisherman in his tinny, Michael Pascoe."
Most crucially, the angel ring - one of four supplied and funded by ANSA (Australian National Sportfishing Association) NSW along the Boat Harbour rock platform - had only recently been replaced after the previous buoy had been stolen.
"It's quite common for them to be stolen, it has happened on at least five occasions since they were erected a few years back," say Marie and Ray Smith, who are known around Boat Harbour as the 'guardian angels'.
Tragically, the couple lost their own son, 21-year-old Dean, in the same area two decades ago.
Dean had been rock fishing with his younger brother when he jumped into the water to retrieve some fishing gear which had been washed into the sea.
Despite the best efforts from his brother to save him, Dean failed to surface and his body was recovered by divers. Six days later another fishing tragedy nearly took the life of an older son.
"It's an experience we don't want any other family to go through. That's why we are so diligent about ensuring these rings are replaced whenever they disappear," the couple said.
Whether by good luck or good management, the events of Saturday afternoon unfolded with precision.
At about 2.40pm emergency services were called to Boat Harbour after reports that three people swimming in rock pools had been washed into the ocean and were being carried south.
EARLIER STORY: Off duty cop aids family in surf
Sgt Parker, a water police officer who spent 12 years at Nelson Bay before transferring earlier this year to Sydney, was working on the roof of the family home in Boat Harbour when his 11-year-old daughter Andie, a nipper with Fingal Beach Surf Life Saving Club, alerted him to the sight of three bobbing heads in the water.
Sgt Parker, who has previously competed in the Surf Life Saving Australia Coolangatta Gold endurance event, grabbed his Surf Life Saving rescue board, ran onto the rocks and dived into the ocean. He reached the family who had been swept about 100 metres out to sea.
"A group of whale watchers had launched the angel ring which they managed to grab hold of and remain afloat," Sgt Parker said.
"The fact that all three remained together made it a far easier job for me. Had they been separated I'm not sure how events would have unfolded."
Around the same time, onlookers had spotted local fisherman, Michael Pascoe, in a small aluminium vessel in the vicinity, who managed to go to their aid.
Using his paddle board, Sgt Parker was able to pull the swimmers into the boat.
"We managed to get all three into the runabout just as the police vessel arrived to guide them into the safety of the harbour," he said.
Also attending the scene were officers from Nelson Bay Police, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW. Conditions at the time of the incident were dangerous with high winds and large sea swells.
The two children and their mother were pulled from the water with no major injuries; the girl was checked for a suspected sprained ankle.
"The heroic efforts of Sgt Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended," said Police Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.
"If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from these men, the outcome could have been tragic for these three swimmers."
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce joined those in commending Sgt Parker and his daughter for their fast response and surf lifesaving training.
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