Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state completed their second busiest June ever with crews undertaking 237 search and rescue missions last month, down 25% on the record 315 responses recorded in June 2023.
Of last month’s 237 search and rescue missions, 82 were emergency responses while volunteer crews safely returned 468 people to shore.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said people heeded the safety advice and education last month with unfavourable weather conditions at times restricting opportunities to enjoy the state’s waterways.
“It is vitally important that boaters continue to monitor the weather and only go out when conditions permit.
“Boaters can access weather updates and maritime safety alerts on the free Marine Rescue NSW app, they should also Log On via the app or VHF channel 16 so that our team of dedicated volunteers can monitor their safe return.
“Boaters should regularly check their vessel’s engine and battery, have enough fuel with some in reserve, carry the correct safety equipment and always wear a lifejacket,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Last month, 5,300 vessels Logged On with Marine Rescue NSW while the Service’s radio operators managed 17,178 calls.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers in the Greater Sydney region completed a state high 86 search and rescue missions in June while the Monaro region (Batemans Bay to Eden and inland on the Alpine Lakes and Moama) had its quietest June on record with two responses. The previous quietest June for the Monaro region was in 2016 and 2015 when crews completed five missions.
Breakdown of June 2024 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
NORTHERN RIVERS – 45 search and rescue missions including 26 emergency responses with 110 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Northern Rivers units – Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba & Wooli.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Point Danger 20, Ballina 11, Iluka Yamba 6
MID NORTH COAST – 25 search & rescue missions including 13 emergency responses with 48 people safely returned to shore across all 9 Mid North Coast units – Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Trial Bay, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Crowdy Harrington & Forster Tuncurry.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Port Macquarie 9, Forster Tuncurry 7, Coffs Harbour 5
HUNTER/CENTRAL COAST – 61 search & rescue missions including 18 emergency responses with 112 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Hunter/Central Coast units – Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Central Coast & Terrigal.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Lake Macquarie 31, Port Stephens 18, Central Coast 6
GREATER SYDNEY – 86 search & rescue missions including 19 emergency responses with 169 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Greater Sydney units – Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Broken Bay, Sydney – State Communications Centre, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson & Botany Port Hacking.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Sydney State Communications Centre 27, Botany Port Hacking 22, Middle Harbour 8, Cottage Point 8, Broken Bay 8
ILLAWARRA – 18 search & rescue missions including 5 emergency responses with 27 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units – Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla & Kioloa.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Port Kembla 9, Jervis Bay 4, Sussex Inlet 3
MONARO – 2 search & rescue missions including 1 emergency response with 2 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Monaro units – Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Alpine Lakes & Moama.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Batemans Bay 2
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
