After three consecutive months of record rescues, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have responded their lowest number of incidents this year, completing 223 rescue missions across the state in August.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said the reduction in rescue responses during August is testament to boaters doing the right thing on the state’s waterways.
“The best result would be to have zero rescues but from the August statistics it is clear that boaters across NSW have been planning their voyage, checking the weather, ensuring their vessel is maintained and that they are carrying the appropriate safety equipment.
“It’s wonderful to see that our safe boating messages are being received and acted on.
“With the boating season commencing at the start of October we hope this behaviour continues.
“Marine Rescue NSW is expecting a bumper season on the back of record numbers of boaters enjoying our beautiful state’s waterways,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers safely returned 449 people to shore from the 223 rescue missions in August.
10 MAYDAY calls were received last month including a call to the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre after a sea kayaker hit rocks at the mouth of Malabar Cove off Long Bay.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers managed 19,412 radio calls in August while 5,955 boaters Logged On with Marine Rescue NSW.
Greater Sydney was the busiest region in the state with 75 rescue missions while volunteers on the Hunter Central Coast responded to 70 incidents.
The Mid North Coast was the only region to see an increase in rescues from July, up from 22 to 34 last month while 22 rescues were completed in the Illawarra, 15 in the Northern Rivers and seven in the Monaro region.
Marine Rescue NSW Breakdown of Rescue numbers by region including locations of highest demand- August 2023
NORTHERN RIVERS: 15 total rescues across all 7 units in the region
Iluka Yamba 4
Point Danger 4
Ballina 3
MID NORTH COAST: 34 total rescues across all 9 units in the region
Port Macquarie 10
Forster/Tuncurry 8
Crowdy Harrington 5
HUNTER/CENTRAL COAST: 70 total rescues across all 8 units in the region
Lake Macquarie 38
Port Stephens 12
Central Coast 11
GREATER SYDNEY: 75 total rescues across all 7 units in the region
Sydney (State Communications Centre) 26
Botany Port Hacking 19
Port Jackson 8
ILLAWARRA: 22 total rescues across all 7 units in the region
Port Kembla 8
Sussex Inlet 4
Shoalhaven 4
MONARO: 7 total rescues across all 8 units in the region
Batemans Bay 3
Narooma 2
Bermagui 1
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