A woman has been charged with drug-related offences after being rescued from a drifting boat near Port Stephens at the weekend.

About 3.45pm on Saturday 27 November, Marine Rescue notified Port Stephens Water Police that a small vessel was suffering mechanical issues.

It was seen drifting a short distance off Tomaree Headland at Shoal Bay.

Water Police attended, navigating heavy rain and 25 knots south-westerly winds, and located a three-metre tinny with a 35-year-old woman on board.

She was given a life jacket by police, before being towed to the Shoal Bay boat ramp.

In a subsequent search of the vessel and woman’s belongings, officers seized methylamphetamine (ice) and cannabis.

Further inquiries identified that the boat was unregistered and without mandatory emergency equipment.

The Nelson Bay woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for two counts of possess prohibited drug.

She is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 10 January 2022.

The woman was also issued three infringements for master unregistered vessel, not wear PFD when boating along vessel less than 4.8 metres, and not carry specified safety equipment.

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