Marine Rescue Shellharbour volunteers respond to a vessel south of Kiama. Photo: Marine Rescue NSW.
Emergency responders have urged all boaters to take safety seriously, following the busiest start to a boating season on record for the state.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers performed 460 search and rescue missions in October — including 130 emergency responses — and safely returned 989 people to shore.
In the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region this included 43 search and rescue missions, including 17 emergency responses with 78 people safely returned to shore across all seven Illawarra units (Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa).
Eight search and rescue missions were conducted in Port Kembla and six in Shoalhaven, placing them among areas with the highest demand.
Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said the figures were staggering and followed a record month in September, highlighting the sustained high demand for the service’s operations.
“We have seen a 19 per cent increase in demand for our services compared with the same month last year, which was previously our busiest October,” he said.
“Our 3500 volunteers were in high demand last month, with boaters making the most of favourable weather during the second half of the spring holidays, including the long weekend.”
The boating season began on 1 October and runs through to Anzac Day 2026.
Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said it was concerning that 44 per cent of the organisation’s responses were for engine failure and urged boaters to keep on top of vessel maintenance.
“Being the start of the boating season, it is clear many skippers were caught out by a lack of maintenance and took to the water without ensuring their vessels were in good working order,” he said.
“It is vitally important that boaters service their engines to reduce the risk of finding themselves, and their passengers, in a potentially life-threatening situation.”
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed 21,050 calls last month, including 15 Maydays and four pan-pans, while keeping watch over 27,390 people on board logged on vessels.
Boaters can log on via the Marine Rescue NSW free app or on VHF Channel 16 to ensure they’re on someone’s radar before they head out.
“That way, we know you’re out there and when you’re due back,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said. “Every safe trip starts before you hit the water.”
