Marine safety is a partnership and a shared responsibility. Boating safety depends on a strong partnership between the boating community and a range of emergency services, rescue, marine and medical agencies, including:
Marine Rescue NSW assists and protects our boating community. Individual boaters can Help Us Help Them by Logging On and Logging Off with Marine Rescue NSW, using VHF Channel 16, ensuring they wear lifejackets and have the essential safety equipment on board and following good boating safety practice. The boating public also provides generous funding support to MRNSW through a levy on boat licences and registrations.
Marine Rescue NSW works closely with the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, which is responsible for coordinating marine search and rescue on NSW waters. The two agencies work together in joint operations, emergency response coordination during the peak boating season and supporting major community events on Sydney Harbour and regional waterways. We regularly train together in regional Search and Rescue Exercises.
The NSW Government provides Marine Rescue NSW with essential funding for our work to save lives on the water. In 2019, the Government announced a $37.6 million four-year boost to MRNSW funding to provide 38 rescue vessels, upgraded volunteer facilities and work to improve marine radio network infrastructure. This funding is in addition to the government’s existing direct annual grant and the revenue raised from the levy on recreational boating licences and registrations.
NSW Maritime is the State Government agency responsible for issuing boat licences, registering boats and setting policy and regulations, particularly for safety on the water.
The State Rescue Board of NSW ensures effective and co-ordinated rescue services throughout the State, advises the Government on search and rescue legislation, policy and funding, liaises with Federal and other State organisations and conducts joint training exercises. MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos is the Chair of the Rescue Board.
Our rescue vessel crews frequently take part in joint emergency response operations and training exercises with the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter Service flying out of Bankstown and Wollongong.
Marine Rescue NSW crews respond to emergencies and participate in regular joint training activities with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, flying out of Sydney and Moruya, and with its northern counterpart, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, operating out of Newcastle and Lismore.
Marine Rescue NSW is also a member of the International Maritime Rescue Federation, a collective of rescue services committed to preventing loss of life on the world’s waters.
