“Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.”
That was the statement posted to the Marine Rescue NSW Facebook page in the hours after Monday evening’s events at the Ballina Bar.
The alarm was raised at around 6.15pm on 4 May, when a member of the public spotted a yacht in distress near the South Ballina break wall. A Marine Rescue NSW vessel with six crew responded, but capsized while attempting to cross the Ballina Bar in heavy conditions, with a 2.5 metre swell and strong winds creating what NSW Police Marine Area Command Superintendent Joe McNulty described as a wave that was difficult to navigate, manoeuvre and enter from the river system.
Two volunteers died. Frank Petsch, 62, and Bill Ewen, 78, were both members of the Ballina Marine Rescue unit. Bill Ewen was recovered by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Frank Petsch was found on the shoreline. Both were locals. The yacht hit the break wall, fell apart and sank. The body of its sole occupant, a man believed to be in his 50s, was found ashore without a life jacket.
NSW Police put it plainly. “At this time, three people are confirmed deceased, while four made it to shore,” police said in a statement reported by AAP.
Four other crew members made it to shore. One was found with a broken leg and four broken ribs. Two others were hospitalised with less serious injuries. The fourth did not require treatment. All survivors are expected to make a full physical recovery. The mental health injuries, Andrews said, could be substantial.
The rescue vessel, known as BA30, had only entered service last November, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. A community fundraising effort had raised $150,000 toward its cost. It is not expected to be recoverable.
“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others,” Commissioner Andrews said. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Superintendent McNulty didn’t soften it. “These men are heroes. They volunteer their lives to save others and went out last night in difficult sea conditions to a vessel in distress to save the life of another man.”
Ballina Shire Council Mayor Sharon Cadwallader spoke for the town. “They answered the call of duty to save lives, they never hesitated to answer that call, and that’s courage on steroids — that’s bravery. It’s a tragic event of epic proportions. Our community will grieve and never forget what’s happened.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns paid tribute to the volunteers. “I want to pay tribute to their heroism, their sense of courage, their public-mindedness, and let them know that the people of NSW are in their corner today.”
Australia’s 10 News article on the incident. Video credit: YouTube
According to AAP, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers assisted more than 7,000 people across the state’s waterways between October 2025 and April 2026 alone.
The Ballina Marine Rescue base was closed for at least three days, with neighbouring units covering the area. A fundraiser to replace the vessel went up immediately, with Cherry Sports Group Ballina committing $25,000 to the effort. A NSW Police dive team is expected to enter the water later in the week to recover evidence.
The Marine Rescue NSW statement closed with a request that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected.
