Hunter Region Records High Demand for Marine Rescue NSW

13 November 2024

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie at Swansea Heads

newy.com.au – Marine Rescue NSW volunteers experienced their busiest October to date in 2024, with 388 missions conducted across the state, including 94 emergency responses. This surge in activity surpasses the previous high of 384 missions set in October 2023, marking a significant uptick in demand as more people take to the water with the arrival of warmer weather.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell commended the volunteer crews who safely returned 875 people to shore during this busy period. “The demand for assistance from boaters and users of the state’s waterways was high, and we expect this trend to continue through the remainder of spring and into summer,” Commissioner Barrell stated. Mechanical issues were the leading cause of calls for help, with almost half of October’s incidents stemming from preventable mechanical failures, highlighting the need for boaters to carry out thorough checks before setting off.

The Northern Rivers and Hunter Central Coast regions recorded particularly high demand, with the Northern Rivers completing 32 missions across locations including Ballina and Point Danger. In the Hunter Central Coast region, the eight units, such as Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie, handled 127 incidents, including 26 emergencies, bringing 270 people safely back to shore. Lake Macquarie alone accounted for 64 missions, followed by Port Stephens with 19 and the Central Coast with 18.

In October, Marine Rescue NSW’s radio operators handled over 17,000 radio calls and monitored nearly 23,500 boaters who “Logged On” for safety. Commissioner Barrell urged boaters to make use of the Marine Rescue NSW app, which allows users to log trip details, ensuring rapid response if they don’t return as planned.

The Marine Rescue NSW app, recognised internationally as runner-up in the 2024 International Maritime Rescue Federation’s Innovation and Technology award, has become an essential tool for enhancing safety on the state’s waterways, providing reassurance for boaters and their families alike.