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Posted by David Sexton
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2 June, 2026
A FUNDRAISING effort has been announced to help support the family of Nathan Bartlett, an integrated rating and Maritime Union member who died last week while surfing off the New South Wales south coast.
He was 43.
ABC News reported Nathan Bartlett, 43, died when he and his brother, Byron, got into trouble in waves close to Cape St George Lighthouse, near Jervis Bay.
Byron Bartlett was reportedly assessed by paramedics on shore and released.
In a statement published on social media, the MUA described Nathan Bartlett as “a deeply respected seafarer and south coast surfer, father, husband, brother, and one of Australian surfing’s great underground chargers”.
“Nathan was a father to a young family, and comrade to many friends and workers in the maritime industry,” the union stated.
“Nathan was an enthusiastic and committed union member, an internationalist and friend to many in the trade union and surfing communities. We are raising funds to assist his family through this harrowing and tragic period.”
Donations can be made here.
The campaign is being run by Paddy Crumlin with administrative support from the Maritime Union of Australia’s National Office.
ABC News quoted members of the Ulladulla Boardriders Club as saying Nathan Bartlett was a revered underground surfing figure.
He previously survived a near-fatal wipe-out while surfing at Desert Point in Indonesia.
