On May 30, 2001, two UFO researchers arranged a sky watch at Long Reef in Collaroy. This region generated an unusually high volume of UFO reports at the time. The sky watch commenced at 6:10 PM when the two UFO researchers arrived at the Collaroy Golf Club car park. Upon reaching Long Reef, observations began under clear skies with the Moon positioned approximately 70 degrees above the western horizon.
The equipment utilized for observation included a Saxon 350mm refractor telescope equipped with 24mm and 9mm eyepieces, along with a manual camera loaded with Kodak 400 film and an adaptor. Throughout the observation period, aside from routine air traffic and sporadic instances of space debris streaks entering the atmosphere, no significant sightings were reported until 8:00 PM.
At this time, a faint orange orb emerged from the northeast, manifesting at a considerable distance from the shore before gradually approaching. Eventually, it stopped approximately 1000 meters from a cliff face, near the Newport and Avalon areas, where it remained stationary for about a minute. Utilizing the telescope, the researchers observed the orb’s bright orange light reflecting on the water’s surface before it descended, gradually submerging into the ocean.
Subsequently, at approximately 8:30 PM, another similar object materialized in the same vicinity. This time, photographic documentation was possible, capturing the object’s hovering state above the water before its descent, mirroring the previous occurrence. The object, USO, descended into the ocean once again. Whether this was the same or different unidentified object was never determined.
Shortly after this encounter concluded, another sighting occurred. A colossal bright orange light appeared from the east. Upon directing the telescope towards it, an extraordinary phenomenon unfolded: a three-armed object resembling an aircraft propeller, with curved arms and vertical lights, along with a large orange dome underneath.
To obtain a closer view, the two researchers relocated to the far eastern side of Long Reef. Within seconds the object had accelerated towards the east and was observed merely as a glowing orb on the horizon, above the ocean. Shortly several unmarked helicopters conducted scans along the Collaroy coastline. Notably, no other air traffic was observed during this period. Additionally, arriving planes from the east seemed to alter their flight paths to avoid proximity to the anomaly.
During the observation of the unidentified craft, peculiar streams of light resembling lasers were observed emanating from the object into the atmosphere, suggesting potential communication or interaction with an unseen recipient.
An estimated 20-30 minutes later a tanker ship intercepted the glowing object above the ocean. The ship stopped and remained there. Within the next 30 minutes, the two researchers abandoned the vantage point and left the area, fearing potential consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
