The initiative of ANSA/Sportfishing NSW, for the longstanding placement of "angel rings" at numerous rock fishing spots along the entire NSW coastline, has yet again saved more lives.
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Angel rings are a bright orange life ring around a metre across that are mounted away from the wave action on a stainless steel post.
Late last month an off-duty police officer who helped two children and their mum when they were washed off rocks at Boat Harbour, said the situation could have been dire if an angel ring had not been installed and maintained.
Sergeant Andrew Parker and a local fisherman, Michael Pascoe, have been praised for their bravery after rescuing the children, aged 8 and 15, and their mother, 44, in treacherous conditions.
Sgt Parker, was at home when his daughter raised the alarm that saw him (also a part-time lifeguard) launch into the water with his rescue board and paddle out to the bobbing heads about 100 metres offshore. The three were clinging to an angel ring that had been thrown to them in the water and the current thankfully took them away from the rocks.
The group of four had drifted about 300-400 metre from the headland, before Mr Pascoe came to their aid in his small fishing boat.
The family from Kansas in the US, were swimming in a relatively calm rock pool, but some large and unpredictable waves had washed them out.
Sgt Parker said the incident could have been a lot different had it not been for the life ring and he hopes the incident can remind people the life rings are a "life-saving device" and not an item for the bar or a pool room.
