The vessel was heading upstream towards Tea Gardens when it came aground, a New South Wales Maritime spokesperson told the Nota.

NSW Maritime and the Volunteer Coast Guard were called to free the vessel after its crew was unable to move it from the shallows, the spokesperson said.

Nelson Bay Ferries driver, Belinda Hayes said they got the call before their midday run that the yacht was stuck in the dog leg.

“By the time we got there it had run aground and we couldn’t get past. We had to wait around 15 to 20 minutes before Maritime Services could tow it away and we could get past so we were around 20 minutes late on that service,” Ms Hayes said.