Despite experiencing their quietest January since 2020, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers still conducted an average of 21 rescues per day, safely returning 1,670 people to shore last month.
Across the state, volunteer crews completed 662 search and rescue missions in January, including 164 emergency responses.
Marine Rescue NSW’s Mid North Coast region (Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Trial Bay, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Crowdy Harrington & Forster Tuncurry) experienced its busiest January on record. However, the Service’s five other regions (Northern Rivers, Hunter Central Coast, Greater Sydney, Illawarra, and Monaro) experienced decreased demand, which Commissioner Alex Barrell attributes to skippers preparing better before heading out on the water.
Marine Rescue Trial Bay completes an offshore rescue on Australia Day
“Boaters are getting the message to prep now and boat later.
“They are making sure their vessel and safety equipment are in good working order. They are carrying enough clean fuel, monitoring the weather and conditions, and Logging On with Marine Rescue NSW.
“Almost 9,000 vessels Logged On with Marine Rescue NSW last month. Every boater should make Logging On part of their pre-launch routine,” he said.
Following a hectic December, which saw Marine Rescue NSW volunteers complete 710 search and rescue missions, Commissioner Barrell commended boaters for taking simple life-saving steps to ensure a safe day on the water.
“Preparation prevents problems from occurring on the water, and boaters should be praised for our volunteers experiencing their quietest January in five years.
By the numbers: Marine Rescue NSW January search & rescue missions
2025: 662 missions
2024: 703 missions
2023: 774 missions (busiest January on record)
2022: 706 missions
2021: 744 missions
2020: 379 missions
2019: 442 missions
“The fewer rescues our crews perform, the more people are having an enjoyable day on the water and getting home safely. That is exactly what we want to see more of,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators across the state managed 25,973 radio calls last month and kept watch over 35,083 people on board Logged On vessels.
“Logging On ensures our dedicated volunteers keep watch for a boater’s safe return, and in the event they go overdue, a search will be initiated.
“It only takes a minute to Log On and protect a lifetime using the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16.
“Logging On saves vital time in the event of a life-threatening emergency,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Breakdown of January 2025 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
NORTHERN RIVERS – 45 search & rescue missions including 21 emergency responses with 146 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 18, Ballina 10, Evans Head 7
Marine Rescue Point Danger assists a sailor following fierce storms on January 16
MID NORTH COAST **January region record** – 61 search & rescue missions including 28 emergency responses with 145 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 20, Port Macquarie 10, Coffs Harbour 3, Camden Haven 3, Crowdy Harrington 3
Rescue vessel Woolgoolga 30
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST – 199 search & rescue missions including 41 emergency responses with 465 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 78, Central Coast 42, Port Stephens 40
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers rescue nine people from a dive boat taking on water off Swansea Heads
GREATER SYDNEY – 235 search & rescue missions including 22 emergency responses with 631 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:
Botany Port Hacking 59, Sydney State Communications Centre 51, Port Jackson 37, Middle Harbour 36
ILLAWARRA – 80 search & rescue missions including 31 emergency responses with 196 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:
Jervis Bay 28, Port Kembla 19, Sussex Inlet 16
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet respond to a capsized catamaran in January 2025
MONARO – 42 search & rescue missions including 21 emergency response with 87 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 16, Eden 11, Bermagui 6, Narooma 5
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
