Two people were rescued from Smiths Lake on Saturday, July 25, just one day after MidCoast Council opened the entrance to the lake.
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NSW Police alerted Surf Life Saving NSW to the fact two people were stuck on a sandbar in the lake just before 9am, and a call-out team from Pacific Palms Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) was subsequently tasked to provide assistance using an inflatable rescue boat (IRB).
The IRB crew safely transported the two people and their canoe back to land, where Lower North Coast duty officer 15, Dave Ellis, and officers from RMS Boating were waiting.
"At present MidCoast Council has opened the entrance to Smiths Lake causing hazardous conditions in the lake and off the beach," Mr Ellis said.
"Residents and visitors are reminded that council has advised all spectators to not enter the water."
Mr Ellis praised the response of the IRB crew, saying they did "an amazing job."
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Pacific Palms SLSC was also full of praise for crew members, Jeanette Allen and Michelle Ellis, posting on its Facebook page that they were the first all-women's crew to perform a rescue in the club's history.
Drone operator Benny Roth shared the following vision of Smiths Lake after the opening.
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