A woman rescued off the NSW coast has been charged after her police rescuers allegedly found drugs in the boat.
Water police responded to reports of a small vessel drifting near Shoal Bay, north of Newcastle after a mechanical failure on Saturday afternoon.
After negotiating heavy rain and strong winds, officers found the 35-year-old woman in a three-metre tinny and gave her a life jacket before towing her back to a nearby boat ramp.
A search of the vessel and her belongings then uncovered amounts of the drug ice and cannabis, police say, with further inquiries indicating the boat was not registered or carrying the required emergency equipment.
The Nelson Bay woman was issued an attendance notice for two counts of drug possession, and is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 10.
She was also issued three infringements relating to the unregistered vessel and lack of safety gear.
Australian Associated Press
