The Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter was called to the aid of a stranded fishing boat off Shelly Beach, Cronulla on Sunday about 5.30pm.
The boat ran aground just after 5pm when the motor stalled from picking up plastic.
Two young men could not restart the motor, so the boat was unable to navigate the large swells and ran on to rocks.
A third young man was in the water at the time.
The trio, with minor cuts, made it to shore.
Cronulla senior lifesaver John Lavers said that he and another lifesaver were called from Wanda beach to help the men.
‘‘The men only suffered a few cuts and scrapes and were more worried about their boat,’’ he said.
‘‘There was a fair amount of damage to the boat where it had scraped on the rocks.
‘‘However, we were able to load it onto a trailer and it was able to be driven home that night.’’
Westpac Lifesaver reported at 6.30pm via Twitter that everyone on the boat was "ok and @NSWMaritime vessels are now on the scene".
Did you see the rescue or know who owns the boat?