Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state were busy during November, with the service expecting demand to increase over the holiday season.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said volunteer crews completed 375 search and rescue missions last month, including 98 emergency responses, with 902 people safely returned to shore.
“The large number of search and rescue missions performed by our volunteers across the state in November indicates that Marine Rescue NSW is anticipating an extremely busy holiday season ahead.
“The Illawarra region had its busiest November on record, while our units in the Hunter Central Coast and Monaro regions equalled their busiest-ever November. I can’t thank all of our volunteers enough for their round-the-clock response to assist boaters on the state’s waterways,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue NSW units across the Illawarra region (Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa) had their busiest November since 2022, completing 41 search and rescue missions and safely returning 124 people to shore.
Units on the Hunter Central Coast (Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Central Coast and Terrigal) equalled their record mark set in 2022 with 125 missions, while the eight Marine Rescue NSW units in the Monaro region (Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Alpine Lakes and Moama) completed 20 missions, matching the demand of 2022.
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie 30 during a rescue mission
Greater Sydney was the busiest region in November, with Marine Rescue NSW’s seven units returning 349 people to shore following 138 search and rescue missions.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed 17,818 radio calls last month and kept watch over 19,367 people on board 5,352 logged-on vessels.
Commissioner Barrell said boaters and paddlers can provide themselves and their loved ones with peace of mind this holiday season by always Logging On and Off with Marine Rescue NSW.
“People hitting the water can rest assured that Marine Rescue NSW has the capability to assist those in need on enclosed, inland and offshore waters, with more than 120 rescue vessels able to be rapidly deployed.
“A sudden change in conditions, combined with engine failure or running out of fuel in the wrong location, can lead to life-threatening incidents, such as capsizing or running aground. Boat like your life depends on it.
“Our message to boaters this holiday season is: prep now, boat later.
“Marine Rescue NSW crews will assist any boater at any time, day or night, but if you are heading out on the water, we want you to get home safe with wonderful memories of your day.
“Make sure your vessel is in good working order, you have the correct safety equipment, always wear a lifejacket, have plenty of clean fuel, monitor the weather, and always log on with Marine Rescue NSW either via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16,” Commissioner Barrell said.
On board Marine Rescue NSW vessel Lemon Tree 30
Breakdown of November 2024 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
NORTHERN RIVERS – 29 search & rescue missions including 16 emergency responses with 56 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 13, Iluka Yamba 8, Ballina 7
MID NORTH COAST – 22 search & rescue missions including 8 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:
Forster Tuncurry 12, Coffs Harbour 3, Woolgoolga 2, Crowdy Harrington 2, Trial Bay 2
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST **Equal busiest November on record** – 125 search & rescue missions including 31 emergency responses with 252 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 54, Central Coast 26, Port Stephens 17
GREATER SYDNEY – 138 search & rescue missions including 18 emergency responses with 349 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 45, Botany Port Hacking 34, Port Jackson 21, Middle Harbour 17
Marine Rescue Cottage Point and Broken Bay often work together
ILLAWARRA **Busiest November on record** – 41 search & rescue missions including 16 emergency responses with 124 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units – Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla & Kioloa. **previous November record was 34 missions in 2022**
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Port Kembla 18, Shoalhaven 8, Jervis Bay 7
Marine Rescue Shellharbour 30 assisted a family off Bass Point after their boat suffered engine failure off Bass Point on Nov 26
MONARO **Equal busiest November on record** – 20 search & rescue missions including 9 emergency response with 73 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 9, Eden 4, Merimbula 4
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
