Five weeks after the Ballina Marine Rescue tragedy, the first formal review into the disaster is underway, while hopes of recovering the yacht at the centre of the incident are rapidly fading.

Marine Rescue NSW has confirmed it has commissioned an independent review into its operational processes following the May 4 tragedy that claimed the lives of Ballina volunteers Bill Ewen, 74, and Frank Petsch, 62, along with sailor Matthew Clayton, 54.

The review, which will be conducted by an external maritime safety expert, is expected to take several months to complete and will run well ahead of any coronial inquest.

Marine Rescue NSW said the review was commissioned proactively following consultation with experienced mariners from across the organisation and the NSW Police Marine Area Command.

The organisation has also introduced interim precautionary measures across the state.

Under those measures, all non-essential night-time coastal bar crossing operations and training have been suspended.

Rescue crews will only be tasked to undertake bar crossings at night where there is an imminent threat to life at sea.

Marine Rescue NSW stressed the measures should not be interpreted as making any judgement about what occurred on the night of the Ballina tragedy.

Review behind closed doors

Marine Rescue NSW declined to identify the external maritime safety expert who will conduct the review.

The organisation said the person’s identity was being withheld to allow the review to be conducted “independently and without distraction”.

Marine Rescue NSW also confirmed the review would focus on operational processes and would not accept public submissions.

While the organisation described the review as an examination of internal procedures, it represents the first formal review to commence since the tragedy.

The announcement comes amid continuing debate within maritime circles about vessel suitability, bar-crossing operations and rescue procedures.

Yacht recovery hopes fade

Meanwhile, NSW Police have effectively abandoned plans to recover the wreck of the yacht Orion, saying debris washing ashore suggests the vessel has likely broken apart at sea.

The wreck had been viewed as a potential source of answers about the final hours of Mr Clayton and the events that led to the disaster.

“It has now been five weeks since the incident, and debris washing ashore across a wide area suggests the yacht has broken apart,” a police spokesperson said.

“As a result, any remaining evidence is unlikely to be recoverable, and a salvage operation may not be achievable.”

Police said Marine Area Command continued to monitor the situation and diving teams remained on standby should conditions improve.

However, authorities acknowledged that, given the current sea conditions and the apparent deterioration of the vessel, a salvage operation was no longer considered viable.

The loss of the yacht could mean some of the unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy may never be fully resolved.

Investigators have previously indicated it is possible Mr Clayton was no longer aboard Orion when the vessel was first reported in trouble near the South Ballina breakwall.

One of the pieces of debris suspected to be from Orion, pictured off South Ballina (photo supplied)

The rough conditions that contributed to the tragedy have also prevented divers from reaching the wreck.

Farewell to Bill Ewen

The latest developments come as Ballina prepares to farewell volunteer Bill Ewen at a funeral service to be held at Ballina RSL Club on Monday.

Following the service, Marine Rescue volunteers and other emergency service personnel will form a guard of honour outside the venue.

Mr Ewen’s funeral follows a private service already held for fellow volunteer Frank Petsch.

Friends of the late Mr Ewen can view the livestream of the service at 11am on Monday via the following Parkview Funeral Home link

https://parkviewfunerals.com.au/ewen-william-bill/

Members of the public are advised that Grant St directly at the front of the Club will be closed to traffic and on street parking on Monday from 6.00am and will re-open once the Service has concluded.  The Club car parking space will not be affected by the road closure.

Marine Rescue volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen