Bravery medals have been awarded to 18 members of the Port Stephens group of recipients, while Marine Rescue volunteer Laurie Nolan has received the Star of Courage for the "conspicuous courage" he displayed during the collective's rescue attempt of distressed yachts and their crews caught in treacherous seas in January 2016.

Mr Nolan, who has been a member of Marine Rescue for 11 years, said he was "overwhelmed" and felt "very humble" to receive the recognition.

"In my mind, I don't think I did anything more on that day than anyone else," he said. "More than anything, I think this is a good avenue to promote to the public of what we do."

Mr Nolan was one of seven crewmen aboard Port Stephens Marine Rescue vessel Daniel Thain that ventured into cyclonic seas for five hours in the pitch black to help a yacht crew caught up in the treacherous conditions near Seal Rocks.

Skippering the vessel was Ron Lighton, an 20 year Marine Rescue veteran. Also on board was Ian Drummond, Tom Miller, Richard Pizzuto, Paul Sullivan and engineer Michael Smith.

After battling exceptionally rough seas and strong winds, the crew caught-up with the distressed yacht.

It was about 2am when the 32-tonne rescue vessel was hit by a wall of water which tipped the boat onto its port side, throwing the crew on deck off their feet, and causing the boat's propellers to lift out of the water.

As the boat righted itself a second large wave hit, engulfing Mr Nolan in water and knocking him off his feet. Mr Drummond's shoulder was dislocated and Mr Miller received a gash to his eye.

Mr Nolan regained his footing and worked to prevent crew members from being further entangled in safety lines and being dragged under water.

He went to the aid of a Mr Drummond, untangling his safety line and moving him off the deck and into the safety of the cabin.

Seeing Mr Sullivan pinned to the deck by tangled lines, Mr Nolan grabbed a knife from his belt, severed the line, and pulled his crew mate to his feet and inside the cabin.

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A third large wave then struck the boat, knocking it over and causing one of its engines to stop. As the boat righted itself, Mr Nolan and the battered crew were able to restart the engine, clear ropes away from the propellers and then begin the arduous five-hour journey back to Nelson Bay while battling large waves, cyclone-like headwinds, injuries and severe sea sickness.

The crew of the race yacht they were tasked to help later made it safely to shore in a life raft.

Skipper Dave Jack, behind the wheel of the Daniel Thain, and his crew of Noel Corcoran, Mick Duggan, Sue Freeman, Ken Johnson, Peter Merlino, Eryl Thomas and Nigel Waters were recognised with bravery medals for their work in assisting water police with towing a disabled yacht in the treacherous conditions then heading back out to join efforts in searching for a missing sailor that went overboard then towing a second yacht in to shore.

"It's a real honour to receive an award like this," said Mr Jack, who was a member of Marine Rescue for nine years before retiring in 2017. "People like us, volunteers, we don't do it for the medals. It's a real honour to be recognised."

Mr Jack paid special tribute to Ms Freeman and her cool, calm and collected radio work on the day.

In 2017 the group received recognition from Marine Rescue with a Commissioner's Citation and Commissioner's Commendation for Courage. Mr Nolan received Marine Rescue's Medal for Volour.

The bravery awards, however, came as a "shock" and "surprise". The nomination was made without their knowledge.

Mr Thomas, a 22-year Marine Rescue veteran, joked that when he was first notified that he had been nominated for a bravery medal, he thought it was a scam.

Mr Drummond, who has been with Marine Rescue for 10 years, said it had been a surprise to learn the group had been nominated in the Australia Government's bravery recognition awards.

"We received recognition through Marine Rescue in 2017," he said. "To receive this nomination, which was a real surprise and an honour, it's the cherry on top. It's not something your expect. We don't do what we do for awards. What sticks with me is the faces on the families of the people we rescue. When you come into the dock and see the relief on their faces, that's not something you forget."

Marine Rescue Port Stephens unit commander Ben van der Wijngaart said he was delighted that the courage and dedication of the crew members had been appropriately recognised.

"Our boat crews perform hundreds of rescues each year. Some are routine but many entail a level of risk that is always managed professionally, but that is no guarantee of safety," he said.

"They willingly take these risks to save lives at sea on a routine basis. It's very satisfying when this is occasionally recognised and the recognition of the few reflects also on the dedication all our members.

"This is particularly the case with the dedication of the vital communications centre crews and our duty callout officers. Their judgement and swift actions are essential to executing boat rescues. In the case of the January 2016 rescues, I thank and honour the whole team involved."

Port Stephens water police officers Sergeant Tony Hogg, Sergeant Andrew Parker, senior constable Nick Leach and senior constable Matt Grey have also received bravery medals for their work in the treacherous January 2016 conditions.

The officers received five mayday calls simultaneously for assistance. They took Water Police Vessel WP24 out in cyclone-like conditions, spending more than 24 hours rescuing embattled yachts and their crews.

The officers endured the treacherous conditions, towing boats safely back to shore, as well as conducting an extensive search for a man who had fallen overboard.

During the rescue of one of the yachts, the officers had to repair a tow rope after it snapped six times in the turbulent seas.

On another occasion the officers were coming through the heads at Nelson Bay when they were hit by a series of large waves.

The severe weather made navigation and searching extremely difficult, and significantly increased the fatigue levels and seasickness of the officers.

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