Boat sinks on Sydney Harbour during New Year's celebrations December 31, 2013 - 10:39PM The boat sinking in Sydney harbour. Six people have been rescued from a sinking boat on Sydney Harbour as New Year's celebrations kick off. Just after the 9pm fireworks water police received reports of a vessel taking on water in front of Mrs Macquarie's chair. A Fairfax Media photographer captured this image of what is reported to be a 30-foot yacht upturned in the water with the Harbour Bridge in the background. Officers from the Marine Area Command and four police boats were sent to the sinking vessel to rescue the six passengers. The passengers were all unharmed, a police spokeswoman said.