Four teenagers have been rescued in the ocean at Sharkies Beach on Monday afternoon after their sinking boat encountered mechanical problems.
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Emergency services including Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officers and Coledale SLSC Emergency Callout Team responded to the teens who were south of Coledale shortly after 2pm.
The quick thinking teenagers on board dropped an anchor and called for assistance after their fishing boat encountered mechanical problems.
The boat started taking on water while drifting close to the surf zone and rock platform.
Volunteer lifesavers from Coledale responded to scene in an inflatable rescue boat.
Meanwhile the teenagers flagged down another passing vessel that rendered assistance and towed them to Austinmer boat ramp.
The teenagers did not require any medical assistance and were praised for all wearing life jackets.
The rescue comes just days after NSW Police, Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officers, Windang SLSC Emergency Callout Team and Marine Rescue responded to a boating incident close to the entrance of Lake Illawarra about 6pm on Saturday.
A small vessel with a man and woman on board required assistance due to mechanical problems.
The vessel drifted towards the southern break wall before the pair were able to climb up the break wall safely to await emergency services.
They did not require medical assistance.
The incidents come as a timely reminded with wild weather expected in coming days.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather as well as a hazardous surf warnings for the Illawarra coast.
Damaging winds are forecast on Tuesday and people are being advised to stay out of the water.
Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming.
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