Just after 12.30pm (Wednesday, May 7), emergency services were called to Sugarloaf Point on Kinka Road, near Seal Rocks, following reports of three fishermen in the water.

It's believed the men were swept into the ocean while rock fishing in a group of five.

One of the men, aged 39, was able to swim to shore and contact emergency services.

A second man, aged 34, was located in the water and rescued a short time later by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The two men were taken to Manning Base Hospital in a stable condition.

It appears the men were not wearing lifejackets.

Surf Life Saving NSW Lifesaving Manager Andy Kent says this could be yet another rockfishing tragedy, after a spate of incidents over the last few weeks.

Hazardous surf conditions are present across much of the NSW coast and Surf Life Saving NSW urges people to follow basic safety precautions at all times while rockfishing.

These include:

Always wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear

Check tides, swell and weather conditions

Fish with a friend – never fish alone

Carry a mobile phone

Never turn your back to the sea

Always spend time watching the conditions before fishing, and constantly scan for changing conditions

If in doubt, don’t go out!

The search operation involving officers from Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command, Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue, Surf Rescue, Westpac Helicopter and Polair resumed at 7am today (Thursday, May 8).