Newcastle Boaters urged to stay vigilant on the water as season nears end

With the boating season set to wrap up on ANZAC Day, local Marine Rescue volunteers are reminding boaters across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Central Coast to remain cautious on the water.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said a concerning number of incidents in February were caused by preventable mechanical failures, with engine, battery, and fuel issues making up 67 per cent of rescue responses.

“Two-thirds of the missions our volunteers responded to last month were due to issues that could have been avoided with proper checks before heading out,” Commissioner Barrell said.

“Boaters need to ensure their vessel is in good working order every time they launch and that they have enough fuel on board, including a reserve supply. Just because you’ve made it through the season without problems doesn’t mean you’re immune from breakdowns.”

In February alone, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the Hunter and Central Coast conducted 118 search and rescue missions, including 27 emergency responses, safely returning 266 people to shore.

Lake Macquarie recorded the highest number of rescues in the region with 50 search and rescue missions, followed by the Central Coast and Port Stephens, which each recorded 22 missions.

Commissioner Barrell stressed the importance of Logging On before heading out, using the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16, to ensure help can be dispatched quickly if needed.

“Logging On provides details of your trip, and if you don’t return as planned, a search can be initiated immediately. It only takes a minute, but it could save your life,” he said.

Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Lake Macquarie are among the busiest areas for boating activity, with Marine Rescue crews regularly responding to incidents involving engine failures, fuel shortages, and boats drifting due to sudden weather changes.

With just over a month left in the season, boaters are urged to take extra precautions, perform safety checks, and ensure they have working communication equipment on board. Marine Rescue teams will remain on standby to assist, but preventing an emergency in the first place is the best course of action.