newy.com.au – Marine Rescue volunteers in the Hunter and Central Coast have recorded their busiest August, completing 78 search and rescue missions and returning 162 people safely to shore as crews prepare for the spring school holidays.
Lake Macquarie crews handled 44 missions, more than half the region’s total, followed by Port Stephens with 14 and Brisbane Water with nine. The workload across the region’s eight units included 21 emergency responses.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said crews had been training through winter ahead of an expected increase in recreational boating and paddling during the holidays. During last year’s two-week spring holiday break, volunteers across NSW completed 348 missions and returned 825 people safely to shore.
Engine, battery and fuel problems accounted for 55 per cent of responses statewide in August, with the service urging boaters to carry out basic checks before launching.
“Old fuel, tired batteries and poorly maintained engines are common reasons boaters end up stranded or in trouble on the water,” Commissioner Andrews said.
The Hunter and Central Coast tally helped drive a statewide August record of 273 missions, surpassing the previous high of 267 set in August 2022. Those missions included 97 emergency responses, with 538 people safely returned to shore across NSW.
Greater Sydney had the state’s highest mission total at 94, followed by the Hunter and Central Coast. Monaro also recorded its busiest August, with 19 missions.
The month capped Marine Rescue NSW’s second-busiest winter, during which crews completed 762 missions and returned 1593 people safely to shore. The busiest winter was in 2023, when volunteers carried out 806 missions.
Commissioner Andrews urged boaters to check their vessels, safety equipment and the weather before heading out, always wear a lifejacket and avoid taking risks when conditions were unfavourable.
He also encouraged boaters to log on with Marine Rescue NSW for each trip so volunteer radio operators could keep watch for their safe return. Boaters can use the free Marine Rescue NSW app or contact the service via VHF Channel 16.
During August, the service’s radio operators managed 19,731 calls and kept watch over 23,377 people aboard vessels that had logged on.
“If the unexpected happens, Logging On gives rescuers a vital head start and, when it comes to emergencies, every second matters,” Commissioner Andrews said.
