What started as a rescue mission for a swimmer reportedly in trouble this morning ended up most likely being an animal in its natural habitat.
Emergency services rushed out on the water at the Terrigal Haven boat ramp about 9am on Friday, August 28 after a call from a member of the public about a potential missing swimmer.
After a more than hour-and-a-half multi-agency search involving Marine Rescue Terrigal, NSW Water Police, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving, crews were stood down after only finding a seal.
A spokesperson for Marine Rescue NSW said volunteers set out on their Terrigal 11 vessel after reports a person was potentially struggling about 50 metres off the rocks.
After thorough search, they were stood down at 10.50am by NSW Police Marine Area Command over suspicions the call might have related to a seal.
"As far as we understand it, there is no reported missing persons," the spokesperson said.
"Emergency services take all reports extremely seriously and we will always respond because that is our duty of care," they said.
The spokesperson encouraged people to always report an incident, even if they thought it could be nothing.
"It is awesome that people are caring and observant because we have had instances in the past where people have thought they've seen something, and made a call and a person was saved," they said.
NSW Ambulance was also on standby in case a patient was found but they left after the Westpac Rescue Helicopter had not found anyone after less than 40 minutes.
NSW Police also conducted foot patrols of the Terrigal Esplanade and search for any unaccompanied clothing or towels with no items located.
Police confirmed no missing person were reported in the area.
