Heartbreaking details emerge about Marine Rescue volunteers killed in Ballina bar tragedy

The volunteers died when their rescue vessel capsized while attempting to assist a yacht in distress.

Fresh details have emerged about the tragic Ballina rescue mission claiming the lives of two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers, as devastated family and colleagues paid tribute to the “heroes”.

Volunteers William (Bill) Ewen, 78, and Frank Petsch, 62, died when their rescue vessel capsized while attempting to assist a yacht in distress near the South Ballina break wall in NSW, about 6.15pm on Monday evening.

On Wednesday, Marine Rescue Ballina unit commander Peter Hill remembered veteran rescuer Ewen as a man who loved being out on the water.

“Bill loved getting on the boat, training or on missions,” Hill said.

“You had to have a crowbar to get him off the boat.

“He really, really loved it, and we’re going to miss him terribly.”

In a statement, Bill Ewan’s family said they were struggling to come to terms with the loss of the much-loved 78-year-old.

“Bill was a devoted family man who was incredibly proud to serve his community as a member of Marine Rescue Ballina,” the statement read.

“We are devastated at the loss of a much loved husband, father and grandfather, but take comfort from knowing that he passed doing something he loved. We are so proud of him.

“Our thoughts are with the entire crew and families involved, and we extend our sincere thanks to the first responders.

“We respectfully request privacy at this time to mourn our Bill.”

The second volunteer killed in Monday night’s tragedy, Petsch, was described by Hill as a selfless and dependable crew member who never hesitated to help.

“Frank was a ‘yes’ man,” Hill said. “If you needed anything done, Frank would say yes.”

Petsch, a “relative newcomer” to the unit, had quickly earned the respect of fellow volunteers through his commitment and willingness to serve.

Hill said he had rapidly progressed through Marine Rescue training and obtained the highly regarded Coxswain Restricted qualification.

“He was up for everything, day or night,” Hill said.

The unit commander became emotional as he described the bond shared between the men and their fellow volunteers.

“These were their mates,” Hill said.

“These were people that they’ve trained with, that they’ve worked with, that they’ve done hundreds of rescues with.”

Hill revealed he had marched alongside Petsch during Anzac Day commemorations only weeks earlier, describing both men as close friends as well as trusted crew members.

“So, I knew them very well,” he said quietly.

Petsch and Ewen were part of a Marine Rescue crew that launched into what officials described as “perilous situations” and “treacherous conditions” after a member of the public alerted authorities to a yacht in trouble.

The Ballina bar is considered notoriously dangerous, with shifting sandbanks and heavy swell capable of creating violent surf, particularly at night.

The solo yachtsman they were attempting to rescue also died.

Three other Marine Rescue crew members survived after the rescue vessel overturned and remain in hospital recovering from serious injuries.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the surviving volunteers had suffered a range of injuries, including broken ribs, damage to kneecaps and possible spinal injuries.

“The injuries are varying. Some are minor and some are major,” he said.

“There’s some broken bones. We understand one gentleman has quite a few ribs broken, some damage to kneecaps and potential minor spinal injuries as well.

“All of our volunteers who hop on a Marine Rescue vessel know that there’s risks involved with that.

“It takes a very special person to do that, to actually put your hand up and volunteer at Marine Rescue.

“They are heroes. There’s no doubt about that.”

Hill said he visited the injured crew members in hospital on Tuesday alongside their families.

“I can report I think they’re in reasonably good spirits, considering what they’ve been through,” he said.

“It’s been a very difficult and serious incident.”

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Marine Rescue community and across the NSW north coast, with flowers and tributes continuing to pile up outside the Ballina base.

Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib described the deaths as “a story of heroism”.

“These are volunteers who go out into danger to do no more than protect the community,” he said.

“What we saw on Monday night was a tragic consequence.

“We saw two much-loved, much-valued members of our Marine Rescue family give their lives to try and do the right thing for other people.”

Dib said the wider Ballina and north coast community had rallied around the grieving families and rescue crews.

“This community, whilst it’s hurting and whilst it’s heartbroken, is still standing strong,” he said.

Authorities also revealed new details about the rescue operation and the decision-making process behind launching missions in dangerous surf.

Despite the violent seas, the volunteer crew answered the call for help, a decision colleagues said reflected the selfless culture of Marine Rescue NSW.

Hill confirmed skippers ultimately have the authority to refuse a rescue deployment if they believe it is unsafe to proceed.

“It’s the skipper’s call,” he said. “They do a risk assessment, and they can make that decision.”

Questions have also been raised about the bar itself, including whether dredging practices and shifting sandbanks could form part of the investigation.

Dib said those issues would likely be examined.

“I imagine that’s one of the things that will come up as part of that review, part of the investigation,” he said.

Commissioner Andrews confirmed the rescue vessel involved in the tragedy would be salvaged on Wednesday afternoon as part of the ongoing investigation being conducted by NSW Police Marine Area Command and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The commissioner revealed the boat was only months old and had not yet officially entered service.

“The official commissioning was actually due for the 9th of June,” he said. “So that goes to show how new it is.”

Despite the vessel’s near-new condition, Andrews said nobody within Marine Rescue wanted to see it return to service.

“I’m sure I can speak on behalf of everyone at Marine Rescue that we would prefer the insurer scrap that boat,” he said.

“There’s nobody that’s going to want to step foot on that vessel ever again.”

Mental health clinicians and counsellors have now been deployed to support volunteers, survivors and grieving families in the wake of what Andrews called “the darkest night” in Marine Rescue NSW history.

“In the 35 years that I’ve worked, hardest day of my life,” he said after meeting with the families of the deceased volunteers.

Marine Rescue NSW carries out more than 4500 operations annually across the state, bringing more than 10,000 people safely back to shore each year.

“Even in these difficult circumstances, if the call comes through for help, our dedicated volunteers will be there,” Andrews assured.