Aviators from two RAN helicopter squadrons have figured in a dramatic sea rescue drama which saw one man saved during a 22 km swim to shore but his mate drown.

During the search and rescue operation a Sea King pilot held his aircraft 15 metres above the waves while a crewman/swimmer winched down to one of the victims only to find him dead.

Earlier the pilot and crew of a Seahawk helicopter became the search pivot for the rescue, conducted off Cape St George, Jervis Bay December 1.

To survive was fisherman Glenn Frost, 34, a father of two from Exeter, on the southern highlands of NSW.

Drowned was his best fishing mate Geoff Howarth, 35, a father of three from Bundanoon, a town neighbouring Exeter.

Glenn Frost arrives at Shoalhaven Hospital after spending 23 hours in the ocean. Photo - compliments of Illawarra Mercury

The pair set off from Jervis Bay on Monday, November 30 in a five metre runabout to fish for tuna at The Canyon, 25 kms off shore.

Mr Frost has since revealed a large wave overturned the craft mid-afternoon that day. They donned life-jackets as they clung to the sinking craft and them a large esky and its lid.

The pair were continually pounded by waves and found during the night that flares they recovered failed as did a pair of torches.

To deflect six sharks seen around them they emptied the esky of its contents of pilchards and let the fish trail away. Leaking outboard petrol may have also deterred the sharks as no attack came.

With no rescuers in sight and almost a day in the water Glenn Frost decided to seek help by swimming 22 kilometres to Bowen Island at the entrance to Jervis Bay.

Fisherman swims 22km, mate dies

After wishing Mr Howarth happy birthday (that day) and imploring him to continue to hang on to the esky, Mr Frost set out for shore.

Meanwhile the alarm had been raised and a search organised.

Police rescue helicopter Polair 2 was dispatched to the area along with the Partenavia fixed wing plane of the Wollongong-based Aerial Patrol.

Through HMAS ALBATROSS Tiger 77, a Seahawk helicopter from 816 Squadron was diverted from exercise to help with the search.

LCDR Craig Matthews, LEUT Karl Knoll, LEUT Geoff Winter and LS Richard Balmforth took Tiger 77 to sea and began a wide search. Later Shark 2, a Sea King from 817 Squadron was scrambled.

LEUT Alan Moore, LEUT Chris Money, POAC Phil Llewellyn, POAC Brian Lee and LEUT David Hutchinson headed over the ocean. Also on board was doctor, LEUT Dale Thomas.

"Around 4pm the swimming survivor was found by the police helicopter about two miles off the coast," LEUT Moore told Navy News . "He was flown to Shoalhaven Hospital."

"We continued the search…we could see debris. People on shore was also searching and keeping a lookout. Around 6.15pm they saw something in the water and we were asked to help. It was a man.

"I hovered the aircraft at 40 feet and Phil Llewellyn winched down to the victim. He called for a billy pugh net to get him into the aircraft. This was done but LEUT Thomas found he was dead.

"We flew his body to Shoalhaven Hospital," LEUT Moore said.

By Graham Davis