Barge Carrying Sewage Tank Capsizes Off Great Mackerel Beach

A barge carrying a sewage truck overturned off Great Mackerel Beach in New South Wales on August 21, reportedly sending four crewmembers overboard before they were rescued by bystanders on boats.

All four men were taken to Northern Beaches Hospital by emergency services where they were treated for minor injuries, according to reports.

A spokesperson for the Avalon Fire and Rescue station told the Daily Telegraph that only a small amount of diesel from the truck’s fuel tank leaked into Pittwater Bay. The truck was carrying 10,000 liters of sewage, but it was contained and had not leaked, according to the Daily Telegraph report.

Corey Fullarton captured this video while working on the beachfront. He was on his lunch break on the beach at the time the barge capsized, and told Storyful the truck was improperly placed onto the barge: “When they left the beach the barge started leaning and taking on water. They turned around to head back to shore. This is when I started filming.” Credit: Corey Fullarton via Storyful