Far South Coast lifesavers have described the "awful" conditions at the Moruya bar on Saturday as they tried desperately to save a teenage girl, who was later declared dead.
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Lifesaver Andrew Edmunds said Moruya and Batemans Bay crew members helped bring people ashore after their boat capsized crossing the bar early on Saturday morning.
Lifesavers retrieved a teenage girl from beneath the capsized vessel. They believe she had been there for up to 40 minutes before they arrived.
Four other members of the Canberra party were brought safely ashore on a jet ski and it is understood Marine Rescue brought an adult male to shore.
The boat was towed to Batemans Bay.
Mr Edmunds pleaded with boaters to wear life jackets and to log their trips with Marine Rescue.
The incident remains under investigation but lifesavers understand life jackets were not worn.
"None of the occupants had life jackets on when we arrived on the scene and we did not see any life jackets floating," Mr Edmunds said.
"Conditions were awful.
"There is a dangerous surf warning out at the moment. It is a very sad, tragic reminder of the importance of life jackets. It gives people that extra chance of survival while a rescue effort can be mounted in the event the absolute worst happens.
"Our hearts go out to the family and the people involved.
"The conditions today were absolutely awful – there was a two-to-2.5 metre swell, a very strong outgoing tide and, even for us, with trained personnel in big surf, it was challenging.
"It is so important to check the conditions, log on with marine rescue and make sure you are wearing life jackets to avoid tragedies such as this."
Mr Edmunds said the crews had done their very best, but could not save the girl.
"They did a tremendous job," he said.
"CPR was conducted as they returned to shore, but unfortunately she was not able to be revived."
He said a trio from another civilian boat initially helped the stricken party in very difficult conditions. It is understood the boaters were taken aboard the other vessel until rescue crews arrived.
"It was a serious scene," Mr Edmunds said.
"We had to triage the occupants; it was still quite dangerous even though they were on a civilian boat out at sea.
"We brought a young 13-year-old girl in with a foot injury."
It is understood three of the rescued party were teenaged males, including an 18-year-old.
"They were quite cold and hypothermic," Mr Edmunds said.
He said a man understood to be a father was taken by Marine Rescue to Preddys Wharf.
All were taken to Moruya Hospital and a hospital spokesman said they were released with minor injuries.
"It was a delicate rescue; it probably took us over a couple of hours by the time we got everyone in and accounted for," Mr Edmunds said.
They were alerted at 6.56am and were on the water by about 7.20am.
