Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott has praised boaters across the state for heeding advice about monitoring weather and sea conditions last month resulting in the Service’s quietest May since 2020.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state completed 203 search and rescue missions last month, including 70 emergency responses with crews safely returning 363 people to shore.
“It is extremely pleasing that boaters didn’t put themselves or others at risk for a day on the water with numerous days of unfavourable weather last month,” Deputy Commissioner Schott said.
“It is important that boaters make smart decisions before going out on the water.
“If you get to the boat ramp and conditions have deteriorated, do not head out.
“Boaters can easily monitor weather and conditions on the free Marine Rescue NSW app which is where they can also Log On to ensure our volunteers keep watch for their safe return.
“Engine failure accounted for 40% of our responses and we are reminding all boaters to ensure they check their vessel and equipment before their voyage,” Deputy Commissioner Schott said.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed 15,481 radio calls last month including six MAYDAYs and three PAN PANs while the Service’s volunteers kept watch over 4,484 vessels that Logged On with the Service either via the Marine Rescue app or VHF channel 16.
Last month was the quietest May for Marine Rescue NSW since May 2020 when volunteers completed 152 search and rescue missions.
Breakdown of May 2024 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
Northern Rivers – 19 search and rescue missions including 10 emergency responses with 38 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 10, Iluka Yamba 3, Ballina 2
Mid North Coast – 22 search & rescue missions including 10 emergency responses with 45 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 8, Coffs Harbour 4, Forster Tuncurry 4
Hunter/Central Coast – 64 search & rescue missions including 21 emergency responses with 110 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 10, Newcastle 8
Greater Sydney – 74 search & rescue missions including 15 emergency responses with 125 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 34, Botany Port Hacking 20, Port Jackson 8
ILLAWARRA – 11 search & rescue missions including 7 emergency responses with 20 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 5, Jervis Bay 2
MONARO – 13 search & rescue missions including 7 emergency responses with 25 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:
Eden 5, Batemans Bay 4, Bermagui 2
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