Busiest October On Record for Marine Rescue NSW Volunteers

Marine Rescue NSW’s highly skilled volunteers completed a record 388 missions in October, including 94 emergency responses, surpassing the previous busiest October of 384 missions set in 2023.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said volunteer crews safely returned 875 people to shore during a busy month on the water.

“The demand for assistance from boaters and users of the state’s waterways was high last month, and we expect that to continue for the remainder of spring and into summer,” Commissioner Barrell said.

“Unfortunately, mechanical failure accounted for almost half of the incidents in October.

“These are preventable issues, and we ask all boaters to ensure their vessel is in good working order before hedging to the boat ramp and hitting the water.”

Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed 17,094 radio calls in October and kept watch over almost 23,500 people on board Logged On vessels.

Commissioner Barrell said Marine Rescue NSW’s free, internationally recognised app was a must for all boaters.

“Logging On provides details of a boater’s trip and ensures that our highly skilled and dedicated volunteers keep watch for their safe return,” Commissioner Barrell said.

“In the event a boater does not return as planned, a search will be initiated.”

The Marine Rescue NSW app was recently named runner-up in the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s award for Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue 2024.

“The Marine Rescue NSW app was designed in-house, and we are very proud of the role it plays in helping save lives on the water and providing peace of mind for boaters and their loved ones,” Commissioner Barrell said.

There were 155 search and rescue missions conducted, including 24 emergency responses with 380 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Greater Sydney units - Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Broken Bay, Sydney - State Communications Centre, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson and Botany Port Hacking.

The locations of highest demand included Sydney State Communications Centre with 45 search and rescue missions, Botany Port Hacking with 40, Port Jackson with 19 and 17 search and rescue missions in Middle Harbour.

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.

• Topics:

• Water Safety