About 3.45pm on November 27, Marine Rescue notified Port Stephens Water Police that a small boat was experiencing mechanical issues and was drifting a short distance off Tomaree Headland.

Water Police navigated heavy rain and 25 knots south-westerly winds to journey from their station in Nelson Bay to Shoal Bay and located a three-metre tinny with a 35-year-old woman on board.

The woman was given a life jacket by police before being towed to the Shoal Bay boat ramp.

In a subsequent search of the tinny and woman's belongings, police officers seized a quantity of methylamphetamine (commonly known as the drug ice) and cannabis.

Further police inquiries revealed that the boat was unregistered and without mandatory emergency equipment.

The Nelson Bay woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice for two counts of possess prohibited drug.

She is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday, January 10, 2022.

The woman was also issued three infringements for master unregistered vessel, not wear personal flotation device (lifejacket) when boating along vessel less than 4.8 metres, and not carry specified safety equipment.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: