ABC fishing star rescued from rough seas after boat capsizes

ABC fishing star John 'Stinker' Clarke rescued in Fingal Bay after boat capsize Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 4:18pm In short: A 77-year-old man is lucky to be alive after his boat capsized and smashed against rocks in waters north of Newcastle. ABC fishing correspondent John "Stinker" Clarke was rescued off the coast of Port Stephens last night, clinging to debris amid 2.5 metre swells. What's next? It is understood Mr Clarke has been released from hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia. John Clarke, known to thousands of ABC radio listeners as "Stinker", has survived a harrowing ordeal in rough seas north of Newcastle. The 77-year-old took his boat, Stinkpot, fishing near Port Stephens lighthouse, near Fingal Bay, late on Wednesday afternoon. The experienced angler was pulling up his anchor when a wave hit the tinnie, causing it to capsize and smash into rocks. "As the boat drifted closer to the rocks, I made the decision to let go and drift out into deeper water," Mr Clarke said in a statement he posted on social media. Mr Clarke was left clinging to the oars of the boat and an empty plastic bucket as he tried to stay afloat. "Together with my life jacket, they became my lifeline," he said. "As the sun set and the water grew colder, it became clear that my only chance of survival was to be located by one of the rescue agencies. "All I could do was hold on and hope." NSW Police were alerted by his wife when he failed to return home at the expected time. A multi-agency search, involving Marine Rescue NSW, police and the region's rescue helicopter was launched at around 6:00pm. The Rescue Helicopter Service spotted Mr Clarke floating south of the Port Stephens lighthouse about two and a half hours later. He had spent more than four hours in the water when he was rescued by police. Difficult conditions The rescue operation was carried out in the dark, as responders faced 15 knot southerly winds and a 2.5 metre southerly swell. Marine Rescue Port Stephens Skipper, Peter Wood, said it was a challenging operation. "It was pitch black out there, winds blowing seas up," he said. "It's definitely lucky that he was found, because it doesn't normally turn out that way. Rescue Helicopter spokesperson Glen Ramplin said Mr Clarke was found by chance. "With the searchlight of the area, they just happened to spot him, so it was a great result," he said. "There was no chance that the gentleman was going to be able to get onto the rocks to get out of the water." Marine Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Jane Prior, said Mr Clarke's preparation likely saved his life. "He notified his wife that he was due back at a certain time, and he was also wearing a life jacket when he was in the water," she said. "That's ultimately what saved his life." Mr Clarke was taken to the Nelson Bay Marina, where paramedics treated him. He was then taken to hospital and treated for hypothermia and abrasions. It is understood Mr Clarke has since returned home. The renowned fisherman thanked the swift efforts of emergency crews. "Their professionalism, dedication, and bravery are the reason I am here today," he said in a statement. "Over the coming days, I look forward to personally thanking those involved and spending some time recovering. "I suppose there are moments when I forget that I am not getting any younger."