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The three loves of Ralph Jongedyk's life: his family, his dog and fishing. The 68-year-old spent his final hours on his fishing boat, with his beloved dog Cassie before something went wrong, breaking the hearts of his family.

Concerns were first raised when the former anaesthetic technician's tinnie was found on Wednesday, turning in circles off the Western Australian coast, with no one but the dog onboard.

A frantic search ensued before his body was found on a beach in Yanchep, north of Perth, on Thursday morning.

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Police had to collide with the small boat in order to take control of it.

WA Police Senior Sergeant Martin Hopkins said he believed Mr Jongedyk had been wearing a lifejacket did not know why the tinnie appeared to be damaged.

"We can't confirm if that's pre-existing or that's part of the water police vessel coming in to contact," he told reporters.

"I can't give you any circumstances or theories as to why he ended up in the water."

Senior Sargent Hopkins said the discovery was a "huge shock" to the experienced fisherman's family, who are "very upset".

Australian Medical Association WA Andrew Miller described his former colleague as a "gentle giant".

"He was able to put patients at ease and able to teach others how to do things the right way," he said.

"His love of the great outdoors was certainly a constant topic."

Cassie the dog has been returned to her family as police investigate what went wrong.

Dredgers, tugboats and even an excavator failed to free a giant cargo ship wedged in Egypt's Suez Canal on Thursday as the number of stacked-up vessels unable to pass through the vital waterway climbed to 150 and losses to global shipping mounted.

The skyscraper-sized Ever Given, carrying cargo between Asia and Europe, ran aground Tuesday in the narrow, man-made canal dividing continental Africa from the Sinai Peninsula. Even with the aid of high tides, authorities have been unable to push the Panama-flagged container vessel aside, and they are looking for new ideas to free it.

In a sign of the turmoil the blockage has caused, the ship's Japanese owner even offered a written apology.

READ MORE: Massive container ship stuck still stuck in Suez Canal

"We are determined to keep on working hard to resolve this situation as soon as possible," Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd. said.

"We would like to apologise to all parties affected by this incident, including the ships travelling and planning to travel through Suez Canal."

As efforts to free it resumed at daylight on Thursday, an Egyptian canal authority official said workers hoped to avoid offloading containers from the vessel as it would take days to do so and extend the closure.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn't authorised to talk to journalists.

So far, dredgers have tried to clear silt around the massive ship. Tug boats nudged the vessel alongside it, trying to gain momentum.

From the shore, at least one excavator dug into the canal's sandy banks, suggesting the bow of the ship had ploughed into it.

However, satellite photos taken Thursday by Planet Labs and analysed by The Associated Press showed the vessel still stuck in the same location.

Lieutenant General Osama Rabei, the head of the canal authority, said navigation through the waterway would remain halted until the Ever Given was refloated.

A team from Boskalis, a Dutch firm specialized in salvaging, arrived at the canal on Thursday, although one of its top officials warned removing the vessel could take "days to weeks."

A team from the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT "spent the day doing inspections and doing calculations to assess the state of the vessel and a plan on how to refloat the vessel," spokesman Martijn Schuttevaer told the AP. He did not offer a time frame.

The Suez Canal Authority said one idea the team discussed was scraping the bottom of the canal around the ship.

Boskalis chairman Peter Berdowski on Wednesday described the ship as "a very heavy whale on the beach."

"The ship, with the weight it now has, can't really be pulled free. You can forget it," he told the Dutch current affairs program Nieuwsuur.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, the company that manages the Ever Given, said its 25-member crew was safe and accounted for. Shoei Kisen Kaisha said all the crew came from India.

The ship had two pilots from Egypt's canal authority aboard the vessel to guide it when the grounding happened about 7.45am on Tuesday, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement said.

Canal service provider Leth Agencies said at least 150 ships were waiting for the Ever Given to be cleared, including vessels near Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea, Port Suez on the Red Sea and those already stuck in the canal system on Egypt's Great Bitter Lake.

Cargo ships already behind the Ever Given in the canal would be reversed south back to Port Suez to free the channel, Leth Agencies said. Authorities hope to do the same to the Ever Given when they can free it.

Evergreen Marine Corp, a major Taiwfbaan-based shipping company that operates the ship, said the Ever Given had been overcome by strong winds as it entered the canal, something Egyptian officials earlier said as well.

High winds and a sandstorm plagued the area on Tuesday, gusting to 50 km/h.

READ MORE: Jammed container ship causes costly traffic jam in Suez Canal

An initial report suggested the ship suffered a power blackout before the incident, something Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement denied.

"Initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding," the company said.

In Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters the Suez Canal was part of a crucial international sea lane and the Japanese government was gathering information and working with local authorities.

The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East, which rely on the canal to avoid sailing around Africa. The price of international benchmark Brent crude stood at more than $63 a barrel on Thursday.

Famed shipping journal Lloyd's List estimates each day the Suez Canal is closed disrupts over $9 billion worth of goods that should be passing through the waterway.

A quarter of all Suez Canal traffic a day came from container ships like the Ever Given, the journal said.

"Blocking something like the Suez Canal really sets in motion a number of dominos toppling each other over," said Lars Jensen, chief executive of Denmark-based SeaIntelligence Consulting.

"The effect is not only going to be the simple, immediate one with cargo being delayed over the next few weeks but will actually have repercussions several months down the line for the supply chain."

The Ever Given, built in 2018 with a length of nearly 400 metres and a width of 59 metres, is among the largest cargo ships in the world. It can carry some 20,000 containers at a time.

It previously had been at ports in China before heading toward Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Opened in 1869, the Suez Canal provides a crucial link for oil, natural gas and cargo. It also remains one of Egypt's top foreign currency earners.

In 2015, the government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi completed a major expansion of the canal, allowing it to accommodate the world's largest vessels. However, the Ever Given ran aground south of that new portion of the canal.

The stranding on Tuesday marks just the latest to affect mariners amid the pandemic. Hundreds of thousands have been stuck aboard vessels due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, demands on shipping have increased, adding to the pressure on tired sailors.

A Queensland Coalition MP has issued a shock public apology after being hauled before the Prime Minister over accusations of online abuse of two of his own constituents.

Member for Bowman Andrew Laming issued a pre-emptive apology in the House of Representatives just an hour before a major 9News investigation revealed the complaints from Alix Russo and Sheena Hewlett, both residents of his electorate on Brisbane's bayside.

"Today I was informed of the significant distress experienced by two of my constituents as a result of my online commentary with them," he said.

READ MORE: 'How did you not know?': Grimshaw grills Scott Morrison over claims he's 'doing everything I can'

"They are both highly regarded individuals within our Redland community. 

" … I express my regret and deep apologies for the hurt and distress that that communication may have caused. 

"Today in this House I want to retract those comments and issue an unreserved public apology."

It's understood Prime Minister Scott Morrison, prompted by questions from 9News, had hauled Mr Laming into his office and demanded he put an end to the behaviour.

Single mother Alix Russo accused Mr Lambing of slander and false allegations, including untrue claims she had misappropriated funds at a homeless charity she works for called Night Ninjas.

"You can't be trusted with other people's' (sic) money. That's why your organisation is drying up," he wrote on Facebook.

On another occasion: "Thankfully, they all left you and set up an alternative charity. Unfortunately for you, I make the rules and you follow them."

The charity, whose records are available on the charity regulator's website, prepares hampers for the homeless and less fortunate in the Redlands and has never been investigated for wrongdoing.

Ms Russo said the pressure and anxiety had left her contemplating suicide.

"I want to be alive. And I don't want to be attacked anymore," she told 9News.

Another constituent, Sheena Hewlett says she and her husband Lance, a local councillor, are living their lives in fear.

In addition to Facebook comments she objected to, Ms Hewlett told 9News Mr Laming rang her school and asked for her timetable.

On another occasion, she said he hid in bushes and took photos of her in the park, which she reported to police.

"This man needs to stop," she said.

"He cannot continue abusing his community like this."

Ms Hewlett said she had written to both Mr Morrison and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about her allegations but had not heard back. 

But 9News understands questions put to Mr Morrison's office on Thursday had an immediate impact.

"I have made a concerted effort to understand the impact of these responses on others and to demonstrate a clear change in the way I communicate," Mr Laming said, in Parliament.

"I want to say to any person who has received correspondence from me which fell short of what they expect from an MP that I intend to own that failure and apologise without hesitation."

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Nine stranded campers and a pet dog have been rescued after being cut off by floodwaters south-west of Sydney.

The group, which included a nine-year-old boy, were stranded for six days in the in the Wollondilly Forest.

The heavy rains turned a creek into a raging torrent, washing away the campsite and the group's food supplies.

READ MORE: Dropping water levels expose extent of flood devastation in NSW

A Royal Navy Taipan helicopter crew extracted the seven friends, a father and son, and dog yesterday in a delicate operation.

The evacuees were taken to Mittagong Sports field where they were met by members of the NSW SES.

There are currently two Navy helicopters supporting aerial search and rescue operations, with four Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopters arriving from Townsville today.

By RNZ A returnee at the Grand Mercure Auckland managed isolation facility, where officials believe there may have been transmission of Covid-19, says tougher rules are needed.She was among a group bused to an exercise area…

Receding waters levels around New South Wales have begun to expose the full extent of flood devastation as thousands return home to collapsed homes and businesses.

Images from the air show extensive damage in the Hawkesbury region as river levels drop for the first time since Sunday.

The mammoth clean up has begun after days of torrential rain, but in many places water is still lapping homes along the Hawkesbury.

READ MORE: NSW flood victim identified as 25-year-old Ayaz Younus

At Lower Portland a caravan, trees and tyres have turned up. At Windsor residents are sifting through soggy belongings to see what can be salvaged.

A landslide near Mt Tomah has closed the Bells Line of Road has left North Richmond an island.

The supermarket is struggling to keep up, shelves are stripped as soon as they're stocked and bread and fruit are in short supply.

Urgent medical supplies are being dropped in but no mail has been delivered for days leaving the post office and many others without work, or a pay cheque.

The Hawkesbury Highway – pretty much the only way in and out of north Richmond – is still blocked off.

It will take days before the water recedes. and days more before the roads are declared safe enough to drive on.

READ MORE: More flood evacuation orders as 20,000 people stranded

Earlier, more than 3000 people were able to return to their communities after six evacuation alerts were lifted overnight.

"We appreciate it will be a very challenging time for people today and tomorrow as they go back to their homes and their properties," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said earlier.

The premier said she is expecting the recovery effort to take "weeks".

"I want to stress to communities, no matter where you are, that if you have been allowed to return, you can be rest assured that our teams are in place to support you in the clean-up efforts," she said.

"Good weather again today will allow us to resupply a number of areas, particularly on the Hawkesbury River," NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Carlene York said.

"There are many supplies being loaded on to helicopters and our boats to go out to those communities, and restocking some of those supermarkets, which is good news.

"We will be now sending in teams to assess the damage in the areas that have been affected."

Emergency services will also be focused on providing support to communities still in the midst of the flood crisis in the northern parts of the state around Moree and Grafton.

"Today, we're really about the resupply and looking after those people that have been evacuated overnight, making sure they're safe and looked after," Commissioner York said.

Flood clean-up is also underway in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Taree today which were some of the areas worst hit in recent days.

Led by Resilience NSW, volunteers from the Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue are now assisting the Australian Defence Force going "house to house and house" and delivering essential supplied to impacted communities.

The state is not expected to see any more rain for at least six days which the government hope will assist with the mammoth clean-up.

https://twitter.com/ResilienceNSW/status/1374883945112862720

Despite improvement in weather conditions people have been urged not to become complacent following two flood-related deaths yesterday.

"The rivers are still at moderate to major flooding in a number of areas. There's a lot of debris and high risk of danger around those fast-flowing rivers."

"Don't drive through the floodwaters. It is particularly dangerous out there."

Surging coronavirus numbers have put Papua New Guinea's health system under pressure, as hospitals and morgues reach capacity.

9News has been told morgues are full and in some crowded hospitals, patients have been treated on the floor.

One person suffered an asthma attack and died in a car park at the weekend.

READ MORE: Papua New Guinea strain of COVID-19 found in Queensland

"We have a lot of cases in the hospital," Gerehu Hospital's Dr Gary Nou said.

"We're facing an unprecedented situation."

Patients have waited hours to be tested and case numbers have soared. Of just 749 tests conducted today, 560 tested positive.

Australia has sent 8400 vaccines to the country as cases from PNG are increasingly detected in Queensland hospitals.

9News has been told some Papua New Guineans have been reluctant to be vaccinated and misinformation has spread furiously through Facebook.

"There's people thinking it's all a hoax or a western conspiracy," Jonathan Pryke from the Lowy Institute said.

Even the PNG Opposition Leader joined in on the speculation.

READ MORE: New generation of homeowners buying thanks to the bank of mum and dad

"It might even be proven that coronavirus has been here for hundreds of years," Belden Norman Namah said.

Australia is trying to fight the misinformation.

"Rest assured everyone is seized of the urgency of the situation," Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Frances Adamson said.

Medecins Sans Frontieres Australia (Doctors Without Borders) said vaccines needed to be made available quickly for frontline healthcare staff and high-risk groups.

"The health facilities are struggling to cope with the outbreak," interim head of mission Ghulam Nabi said.

"There are significant constraints because a substantial number of healthcare staff have recently tested positive for COVID-19.

"They have to isolate and can't go to work. Various healthcare services have been restricted and the remaining staff are concerned as they expect a major disruption to healthcare services."

Accelerated response required

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) has urged the Australian government to accelerate its response to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

ACFID has welcomed the indication in Senate estimates today that the Australian Government will move beyond the immediate 8480 vaccines allocated to PNG.

The council welcomed comments by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Marise Payne that all options were on the table for supplying vaccines to PNG, including the use of domestically manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines.

ACFID CEO Marc Purcell said the Australian government was "absolutely right to be pressing the EU on this matter".

"But the situation is too urgent to wait," Mr Purcell said.

READ MORE: EU looks to tighten vaccine controls as Australia ramps up local production

"We are seeing cases rise in Queensland (hospitals and hotel quarantine) as travellers return from PNG and with numbers increasing in Western Province, the prospect of transmission across the Torres Strait is now a major risk.

"We are seeking for the Australian government to plan ahead and match its request to the EU by allocating 1 million domestically manufactured vaccines to PNG and rapidly support their rollout.

READ MORE: Papua New Guinea strain of COVID-19 found in Queensland

"We should not assume that the new strain of COVID-19 circulating in PNG is the last to emerge.

"Each time a new strain develops, the efficacy of existing vaccines comes into question. Crushing the virus in PNG is the best thing we can do right now, for PNG and for Australia."

In recent days, ACFID wrote to DFAT and asked the government to immediately increase the number of vaccines Australia makes available from its existing domestic supply to PNG from 8480 to 20,000.

The ACFID also requested a continued increase over the coming weeks to meet the needs of frontline workers.

"We are deeply concerned for the people of PNG," Mr Purcell said.

"Our members are reporting that their staff are falling sick with COVID-19.

"Increasing the immediate allocation of Australia's own vaccine stocks to PNG is critical to keeping hospitals, local clinics and essential services going."

A car driven by journalist Jessica Rowe has caught on fire outside Kambala Girls School in Sydney's Rose Bay.

The car caught ablaze on New South Head Road this afternoon while Ms Rowe was picking up her daughter from school.

Both Ms Rowe and her daughter are unharmed. The pair managed to escape the vehicle before flames consumed the car.

https://twitter.com/2GB873/status/1374964405289410563

It's not known what started the fire.

Channel Nine's news anchor and husband to Ms Rowe Peter Overton told Jim Wilson on 2GB that a good Samaritan who drove one of the school buses rushed to the car when he saw smoke.

"There was a bloke who got Jessica and Allegra out of the car, he told them he saw smoke and told them to get out," Mr Overton said.

"Fire and Rescue and ambulance and police were there. They're all okay and they're home now. There was a real fear that the car could've exploded.

"I'll find out the bloke's details and get in touch to give him a very big thank you."

Mr Overton said he was en-route home to comfort his family. His colleague Mark Burrows will anchor the Channel Nine news at 6pm tonight.

Tomorrow marks the 125th anniversary of New Zealand’s worst industrial accident – the Brunner Mine disaster where 65 workers were killed in a single explosion on March 26, 1896. Herald senior journalist Kurt Bayer spoke with a descendant…