Challenging Conditions in Late Night Catamaran Rescue off Newcastle Coast

Newcastle marine rescue volunteers have been called out overnight to rescue an 11-metre catamaran after it issued a distress call at 10pm last night.

A crew on the Newcastle 30 reached the vessel 11:15pm, a towline was then secured.

It was a slow trip back to the harbour, back at 1:20am, not helped by a strong run-out tide on the Hunter river.

Authorities are asking people to avoid going out on the water while a hazardous surf warning is in place and water drains from days of heavy rain.