far south coast – Michmutters

Two men have been taken to hospital after a seaplane crash near Moruya on the far south coast of New South Wales.

Emergency services were called to Coila Lake at Tuross Head just after 1pm after reports of a plane crash.

Police said the male pilot and passenger escaped the wreckage and sat on the plane while it was sinking before being winched to safety by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Both men, aged in their 50s, were treated for minor cuts and abrasions and taken to Moruya District Hospital as a precaution.

Shane Daw, general manager for the Westpac Surf Life Saving Rescue Helicopter, says the plane had flipped over in the lake.

He said it could have been a far worse outcome.

“We found two people in the water trying to climb up onto the aircraft itself,” he said.

“The pilot of the seaplane was able to put the aircraft down and, whilst it’s flipped, it could’ve been a far more tragic story.

“There was a bit of luck involved there but also it was very fortunate that we were close by.”

man on jetski — Marine Rescue NSW were also called to the scene of the seaplane crash to assist.(Supplied: Marine Rescue NSW)

Fire and Rescue NSW were also called to the scene to help with hazardous materials, including a potential fuel leak.

“The crews have managed to use boats and booms and put it around the plane as a precautionary action to make sure if fuel does float to the top, it’s going to be contained and allowed to evaporate off before it causes any harm,” said Acting Superintendent with Fire and Rescue NSW Phil Eberle.

Fire and Rescue NSW has referred the matter to the EPA.

Surf Life Savers from the Far South Coast branch were also called to assist, with their branch director praising the teamwork between the emergency services.

“It’s not the typical call you expect to go to but it’s really fortunate outcome and lucky to have so many services so close by,” said Far South Coast Surf Life Saving director Cheryl McCarthy.

The sighting of a southern right whale and her calf along the NSW far south coast has excited locals, photographers and marine experts alike as the whale watching season in the region kicks off.

August marks the time of year when some whales were still heading north as part of their annual migration on Australia’s east coast, while others were heading south.

In that crossover came the unique sighting of what appeared to be a white southern right whale calf.

“Any white animal, like we’ve seen with Migaloo, does get the attention of many people around Australia if not the world,” said wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta.

“A small percentage of southern right whales are born very white, and in this case, this animal is known as a gray morph.

“Unfortunately, it’s not likely to stay white its entire life and will most likely become darker as it gets to adulthood.”

white whale calf emerges from the water — Southern right whales reproduce slower than other species so sighting a calf is a rare event.(Supplied: Peter Harris)

The southern right whale reproduced at a slower rate compared to the humpback, and was vulnerable to a number of threats in the post-whaling era including entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, acoustic pollution and even Killer Whales.

Dr Pirotta said although the current “salt and peppery” appearance of the calf wouldn’t remain, its existence had buoyed many working to ensure the survival of the species.

a white whale calf swimming in the water — The whale watching season usually doesn’t start until mid-August on the NSW far south coast but this calf is proof the mammals have arrived early.(Supplied: Peter Harris)

“It’s also an opportunity to see other species such as the southern right whale which is unfortunately not recovering as well as the humpback whale population,” Dr Pirotta said.

“When we do see one it’s of great significance because any contribution or addition to the southern right whale population is a special one for all of us.”

pods on the move

Mid-August usually marked the start of whale watching season on the NSW far south coast, but cruise operators were organizing tours early off the coasts of Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden.

a whale jumping out of the ocean — Humpbacks are usually more “acrobatic” and “energetic”, according to Mr Millar.(Supplied: Sapphire Coastal Adventures)

“We’ve had a great stream of southbound whales for a few weeks now,” said Simon Millar, director of Sapphire Coastal Adventures.

“We didn’t use to start until the end of August… [but] we’ve had multiple pods off Merimbula.

“It looks like it’s going to be an amazing season.”

Last year’s whale watching season was thwarted by COVID-19 restrictions, and this year tourism operators hoped to make an uninterrupted comeback.

Mr Millar also found the sighting of the southern right whale and her white calf to be unique, after not having spotted the species in three years.

“The southern right whales aren’t as typically energetic or acrobatic on the surface as the humpback whales,” he said.

“We tend to watch the humpback whales more even when the southern rights are around, but it was still great to see that new-born calf.”

a man and woman sit on the railing of their boat with their dog sitting in front of them — Mr Millar and his wife Jessica had not seen a southern right whale in three years before spotting the white calf.(Supplied: David Rogers Photography)

The sighting occurred ahead of the Walawaani Muriyira-Waraga Bermagui Whale Event on August 13 which marked the official opening of the 2022 season.

The event would celebrate the cultural significance of the annual migration to the local Yuin people and would feature an ocean paddle out to welcome the whales.

a big whale in the water next to a smaller white whale — The southern right whale and her white calf traveling along the NSW far south coast.(Supplied: Richard Gonzalez, Insta @the.shot.father)

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