Details on how a four-metre boat capsized, throwing three men overboard near Port Kembla, have been released.
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The men scrambled on to Martin Island, part of the Five Islands group, and were winched to safety aboard an ambulance helicopter at about 8.30am on Friday.
On Sunday, Lake Illawarra police said the men, aged 51, 28 and 25 from the Picton area, had found themselves in trouble when the boat’s anchor rope snapped.
Police said the men attempted to start the engine to ensure they didn’t wash onto the rocks but the engine line snapped.
‘‘This caused the 13 foot fibreglass vessel to take on water and capsize within seconds,’’ a police spokesman said.
The men were rescued and taken to Wollongong Hospital where they were treated for shock and cuts and abrasions they got from climbing over rocks on the island.
Port Kembla Marine Rescue was able to salvage the boat and the men later retrieved it from Port Kembla Harbour.
Police said the men praised authorities for the rescue and for escorting them from the hospital back to their boat.
