Marine Rescue NSW volunteers rescue-ready for peak boating period on Central Coast
by Marine Rescue NSW 9 Dec 2024 13:10 PST
Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes © Marine Rescue NSW
More than 250 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are ready to assist boaters and paddlers on Central Coast waters during this holiday season.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said highly skilled volunteers from the Marine Rescue Terrigal, Central Coast, Norah Head, and Tuggerah Lakes units are ready to respond to calls at any time, day or night.
"The Central Coast region is a busy boating area year-round, but Marine Rescue NSW expects an increase in recreational boaters and paddlers on local waterways during the holiday period.
"People using local waterways, from Lake Munmorah in the north to Broken Bay in the south, and offshore along the 60 kilometres of coastline, can rest assured that Marine Rescue NSW has the capability to assist those in need on both enclosed and offshore waters," Commissioner Barrell said.
More than a dozen Marine Rescue NSW vessels service the Central Coast Local Government Area. Vessel capability ranges from Marine Rescue Terrigal's 10-metre Naiad, which can operate up to 30 nautical miles (55 kilometres) offshore, to enclosed waters serviced by the Central Coast unit's rescue watercraft (jet skis) and the new trailerable six-metre multi-purpose vessel based at Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes, which can access waters as shallow as 300 millimetres.
"So far this year, volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW's Central Coast LGA-based units have completed 284 search and rescue missions, including 59 emergency responses, and have safely returned 575 people to shore," Commissioner Barrell said.
"More than half of these missions were due to engine and battery failures or running out of fuel.
"Many of these issues are preventable, and we urge all boaters to ensure their vessels are in good working order before heading out and to always carry enough clean fuel, with plenty in reserve," Commissioner Barrell said.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib emphasised the importance of safety and weather awareness for boaters.
"Whether heading out on enclosed waters or offshore, it is vitally important for boaters to carry the correct safety equipment, always wear a lifejacket, and continually monitor the weather.
"A sudden change in conditions can lead to life-threatening incidents, such as capsizing or running aground on rocks.
"Volunteers at Marine Rescue Terrigal, Central Coast, Norah Head, and Tuggerah Lakes are well-trained, highly skilled, and rescue-ready in case a boater needs their help," he said.
Minister Dib also encouraged boaters to always log on with Marine Rescue NSW, either via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or marine radio VHF channel 16.
"There is definite room for improvement from the Central Coast boating community in logging on and off with Marine Rescue NSW.
"Logging on provides details of their trip, and in the event they don't return as planned, a search can be initiated. Logging on saves precious time in an emergency. It only takes a minute to protect a lifetime," the Minister said.
Commissioner Barrell said volunteer radio operators and watch officers on the Central Coast monitor marine radio locally during daylight hours, while the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre manages radio communications overnight, 365 days a year.
"Our radio operators are the link between the land and the sea and are often the first voice heard by a boater in distress. They play a crucial role in search and rescue responses, and boaters should feel assured that Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are available around the clock.
"We want all boaters to have an enjoyable day on the water and return home safely without incident. In the event assistance is needed, our crews from Marine Rescue Terrigal, Central Coast, Norah Head, and Tuggerah Lakes will rapidly respond," Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.