A record 7,687 people were returned to shore after being assisted by Marine Rescue NSW volunteers during the 2024/25 boating season, which commenced on 1 October last year and concluded on ANZAC Day 2025.
Image: A family is returned to Shellharbour Marina after their vessel suffered engine failure off Bass Point in November 2024
Volunteers across the state — from the Tweed, down the east coast to Eden, and inland on the Alpine Lakes and the Murray River at Moama — completed 3,246 search and rescue missions over the boating season, just five missions short of the record set in 2022/23.
“The demand on our volunteers continues to be high, but they selflessly answered the call at any time of day or night to reunite a record number of people with their loved ones during the season.
“We would rather see a decline in rescue missions, but with so many people boating across the state, the numbers show that requests for assistance are on par with the past few boating seasons,” said Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell.
Numbers by boating season:
Image: A foilboarder is all smiles on the Marine Rescue Ballina Jet Boat after being rescued offshore
The Northern Rivers (Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba and Wooli) and Illawarra (Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa) regions recorded their busiest boating seasons on record. Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the seven Northern Rivers units completed 222 search and rescue missions, while volunteers across the Illawarra carried out 358 missions.
Image: Marine Rescue Port Kembla saved a fellow volunteer after his vessel sank off Wollongong’s Five Islands in March
Greater Sydney was the busiest region during the boating season, with crews undertaking 1,255 search and rescue missions and safely returning more than 3,200 people to shore.
Image: Volunteers from Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie rescued nine divers from a sinking vessel 5.5km off Swansea Heads in January 2025
“Engine, fuel and battery issues accounted for 66% of responses, 6% were for groundings, and 4% for capsized vessels,” said Commissioner Barrell.
“Many of these incidents are preventable with better planning and maintenance. Boaters need to ensure their vessel is in good working order, carry enough clean fuel with some in reserve, monitor the weather, carry the correct safety equipment, and always wear a lifejacket — a lifejacket can only help if you are wearing it.
“Boating season might be over, but the danger never goes away. Those planning to hit the water during the cooler months must not be complacent — always check your vessel and the weather,” he said.
Image: A crew from Marine Rescue Evans Head assist a family stranded offshore in March 2025
Volunteer radio operators managed 143,585 radio calls, including 60 MAYDAYs during the boating season and kept watch over 171,423 people on board Logged On vessels.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said Logging On provides peace of mind for the boating community and their loved ones.
“I urge all boaters to download the free Marine Rescue NSW app and make logging on a standard part of their pre-launch routine. It saves precious time in an emergency — and ensures our volunteers are keeping watch for your safe return. Boaters can also log on using VHF channel 16.
“Marine Rescue NSW’s highly trained volunteers are on call 24/7, ready to assist anyone in distress on our waterways.
“The NSW Government sincerely thanks the dedicated 3,500 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers who safely brought a record number of people home this boating season. Thanks to their selfless service, nearly 7,700 people of all ages were reunited with their loved ones,” Minister Dib said.
Breakdown of 2024/25 boating season search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
NORTHERN RIVERS – REGION RECORD – 222 search & rescue missions including 103 emergency responses with 502 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 86, Iluka Yamba 50, Ballina 44
Image: Marine Rescue Port Macquarie assists a disabled vessel in March
MID NORTH COAST – 235 search & rescue missions including 112 emergency responses with 527 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 81, Port Macquarie 55, Coffs Harbour 33
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST – 985 search & rescue missions including 217 emergency responses with 2,187 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 432, Central Coast 182, Port Stephens 173
Image: Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking skipper Rod Harris gives the thumbs up after rescuing two kayakers near Lilli Pilli Point Reserve in February 2025
GREATER SYDNEY – 1,255 search & rescue missions including 150 emergency responses with 3,223 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 367, Botany Port Hacking 303, Port Jackson 169, Middle Harbour 154
ILLAWARRA – REGION RECORD – 358 search & rescue missions including 151 emergency responses with 819 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 101, Jervis Bay 99, Shoalhaven 56, Sussex Inlet 55
Image: Volunteers from Marine Rescue Bermagui answered the call from a couple of anglers in late December
MONARO – 191 search & rescue missions including 117 emergency response with 429 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 76, Eden 35, Bermagui 24, Merimbula 22
Commissioner Barrell said that while Marine Rescue NSW receives valuable funds from the NSW Government, the service also relies on the generous support of communities, partners and grant programmes to keep volunteers rescue-ready.
“This May, we’re asking people to answer the call and support Marine Rescue NSW in our mission of saving lives on the water.
“MAYDAY is a call for help — this May, we need you to answer our call. Every dollar you give helps our volunteers save lives on the water, we appreciate any support.
“Our goal of $45,000 represents $1 for every boater Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have saved in the last five years,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
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