Hunter crews return more than 200 boaters to safety in November

newy.com.au – Marine Rescue NSW volunteers in Lake Macquarie and across the Hunter Central Coast region carried out 112 search and rescue missions in November 2025, returning 211 people safely to shore.

The Hunter Central Coast region was one of the busiest in the state for the volunteer service, with the Lake Macquarie unit alone responding to 45 missions, the highest number for any location in New South Wales. Across the state, Marine Rescue NSW said its crews completed 373 search and rescue missions in November and brought 823 people back to shore, including 108 emergency responses.

Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said demand remained high for the volunteer organisation following record activity earlier in spring.

“Following successive record months in September and October, our volunteers were in high demand throughout November, completing 373 search and rescue missions, just 18 fewer than the record set in 2022,” he said.

Within the Hunter Central Coast region, the 112 missions were shared across eight volunteer units at Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Brisbane Water and Terrigal. Brisbane Water recorded 18 missions and Port Stephens 15, with the remainder handled by the other units, including Newcastle.

Marine Rescue NSW said the higher level of activity reflected more people heading out on the water as the weather warms up. Acting Commissioner Andrews urged boaters on Lake Macquarie and along the Hunter coast to prepare properly before launching.

“We are seeing more boaters out on the water and expect those numbers to rise as we head into the summer holidays,” he said. “Boaters need to ensure their vessel is well maintained, carry ample clean fuel, and always wear a lifejacket to avoid becoming a statistic.”

Across New South Wales, Greater Sydney was the busiest region in November, with 161 search and rescue missions and 397 people returned to shore from units at Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Broken Bay, the Sydney State Communications Centre, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson and Botany Port Hacking. The Sydney State Communications Centre handled 50 missions, Botany Port Hacking 33 and Middle Harbour 27.

In the Northern Rivers, volunteers undertook 28 search and rescue missions, including 20 emergency responses, helping 63 people to safety from units at Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba and Wooli. Point Danger accounted for nine missions, while Cape Byron and Ballina each recorded six.

On the Mid North Coast, 23 missions, including 11 emergencies, saw 54 people returned to shore by crews from Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Trial Bay, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Crowdy Harrington and Forster Tuncurry. Forster Tuncurry was the busiest with nine missions, followed by Port Macquarie with six and Coffs Harbour with four.

Further south, Illawarra units at Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa handled 36 missions, including 16 emergency responses, returning 76 people safely. Port Kembla recorded 11 missions, Sussex Inlet nine and Jervis Bay nine. In the Monaro region, 13 missions, six of them emergencies, saw 22 people brought to shore by units at Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Alpine Lakes and Moama, with Batemans Bay the busiest on five missions.

Marine Rescue NSW said 56% of its responses in November were for engine, battery and fuel issues, and crews also attended 22 groundings. Acting Commissioner Andrews said groundings could be avoided if skippers did more planning.

“Groundings are avoidable. Boaters must be aware of the tides, the environment, and conditions,” he said. “If boating in an unfamiliar area, consult local charts and speak with the nearest Marine Rescue NSW unit before heading out.”

Radio operators managed 17,566 calls in November and monitored the safety of 19,467 people on board Logged On vessels. Acting Commissioner Andrews encouraged boaters across Lake Macquarie, the Hunter and the rest of the state to use the free safety service.

“Logging On is quick and simple and could save your life,” he said. “Boaters can Log On 24/7 via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16. Logging On ensures our skilled volunteers can monitor a boater’s safe return, and if they go overdue, a search will be initiated.”

Marine Rescue NSW, a volunteer-based not-for-profit professional organisation, said its units would continue to focus on prevention and rapid response as the summer boating season builds.