A 20-foot open runabout had five people and a dog onboard and ran into trouble about one kilometre offshore and seven kilometres south of the Moruya River.

Marine Rescue Tuross volunteers were supported by radio operators at Marine Rescue Batemans Bay, Peter O'Connor and Penny Paton.

"TU21 was activated to rescue a vessel with serious difficulties one nautical mile off the coast north of Tuross," a Marine Rescue Tuross spokesperson said.

"The family and their dog were pleased to be towed back to safety at Preddys Wharf on the Moruya River."

Crew on board rescue vessel TU21 were Lucy Williams, John Frost, Harley Moss, Blaise Madden and Darren Nichols, who were supported by Alan Blessington.