THE Wangi Queen is back on the water after her rear got caught on a bank next to the channel while cruising at Lemon Tree Passage on Saturday afternoon.
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage crews were called to the scene about 3pm on reports the historic boat was stuck in the mud near the entrance to the channel and needed help.
Unit commander David Aselford said luckily nobody was in any immediate danger.
"We dispatched Skipper Joe and his crew on our rescue vessel Lemon Tree 30 and put our second vessel, Marine Rescue 23 on standby, just in case it was needed to evacuate people," he said.
"They tried to tow the Wangi Queen but it couldn't be done safely without causing damage to the Wangi Queen itself, which we get quite often with boats, they just don't have anything strong enough to be pulled off so it's safer to wait for the tide to come back in."
More than 10 passengers were evacuated in multiple trips, taken to Taylors Beach and Lemon Tree Passage with the effort wrapped up about 5.15pm.
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage contacted the NSW Water Police and kept in contact with the Wangi Queen over radio until it was safe for the boat to return.
"The crew were happy to stay there, they had plenty of food and drink, obviously," Mr Aselford said.
The entrance to Lemon Tree Passage is narrow and muddy throughout, and Mr Aselford said strong winds and tides can churn it up.
"So it is quite tricky, and unfortunately you can get stuck there, it's very shallow and even the main channel is shallow," he said.
"We don't know exactly how they got there, but the most likely thing is that they just got blown at the wrong moment and got stuck.
"It was close to low tide and normally they can get through without a problem, but it looks like they just got caught."
Mr Aselford said the passengers and crew were very appreciative of their help.
"It was a bit more excitement than the initial voyage," he said.
Wangi Queen co-owner Teresa Charchalis said she was incredibly thankful to the local Marine Rescue crew who responded quickly and gave passengers a lift back to shore.
In a Facebook post, Ms Charchalis said for those concerned about the Wangi Queen, she's fine.
"Just waiting for the tide to turn," she said.
"A strong gust and run out tide caught her stern and put her 1.8m bum on a bank next to the channel in Lemon Tree.
"Our passengers thoroughly enjoyed the ride back to Taylors Beach on LT30, thank you Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage, you guys are the best."
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage is hosting a Halloween interactive trivia fundraiser at Club Lemon Tree on Friday at 6pm for a 7pm start.
There will be games, broomstick riding and pumpkin carving at the family-friendly event, and tickets are available via the Club Lemon Tree website.
Ms Charchalis said she would be supporting the fundraiser and encouraged other members of the community to do so.
Local Ian Rabbitt has also designed a model of Lemon Tree's new town square, foreshore park and beach to help raise money for Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage, which is on display at the Wangi Queen booking office.
More than a decade since she left Lake Macquarie bound for Sydney Harbour, the 101-year-old Wangi Queen found a new home at Lemon Tree Passage in 2023 with Shane Herrmann and Ms Charchalis at the helm.
The boat itself had an interesting history before it ever came to Lake Macquarie, launched in 1922 at Empire Bay on the Central Coast.
Built by the Beattie Brothers, her timbers were cut in the Watagan Mountains and transported by bullock team.
In a former life, her name was The Ettalong and she ferried customers on Brisbane Waters.
It wasn't until 1938 that she was relocated to the Sydney Harbour where she became The Ettalong Star - moving thousands of defence personnel between moored ships and wharves in Wooloomooloo Bay, Farm Cove, Sydney Cove and Darling Harbour during WWII.
She's hosted more than 900 weddings and received hundreds of Christmas cards from families around Lake Macquarie over the years.
The boat was officially heritage-listed with the Australian National Maritime Museum two years ago and is one of 800 vessels considered of national importance.
