Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state have begun the year in high demand, completing 668 search and rescue missions during January, including 162 emergency responses and the safe return of 1,644 people to shore.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Dan Duemmer said the peak boating period saw volunteers respond to a wide range of incidents, including EPIRB activations, sinking vessels, medical emergencies and numerous missing person searches.
In January alone, crews attended 19 medical emergencies on our waterways, including cardiac arrest.”
Crews also carried out more than 50 assists to grounded vessels, which Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said were largely avoidable.
“Boaters must be aware of tides, their surrounding environment and prevailing conditions,” he said. “If boating in an unfamiliar area, do your preparation, consult local charts and speak with the nearest Marine Rescue NSW unit before launching.”
Almost half of all responses across the state during January were related to engine issues.
“Boaters must ensure their vessel is in good working order before heading out, carry sufficient clean fuel, have the correct safety equipment on board, always wear a life jacket and check the weather,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said.
There were 75 search and rescue missions including 33 emergency responses with 188 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units, Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa.
Jervis Bay crews responded to 21 call outs, Sussex Inlet 18, Port Kembla 16.
