Marine Rescue NSW volunteers completed their second busiest July on record, responding to 253 search and rescue missions across the state’s waterways as favourable winter boating conditions encouraged more people onto the water last month.
The 253 missions were 12 shy of the record set in July 2023. Volunteers safely returned 512 people to shore, with 90 of the month’s responses classified as emergencies.
The Greater Sydney area completed 75 search & rescue missions including 8 emergency responses with 157 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Greater Sydney units including Cottage Point, Broken Bay and Middle Harbour (Middle Harbour was one of the locations of highest demand).
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the figures reflected a busy month for volunteers across the state.
“Despite it being the middle of winter, favourable weather conditions saw plenty of boaters making the most of our waterways, resulting in a significant demand for our volunteers,” Commissioner Andrews said.
“Our volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and once again demonstrated their commitment to keeping the boating community safe by responding whenever they were needed.”
Commissioner Andrews encouraged all boaters to continue using Marine Rescue NSW’s free Log On service before heading out.
“Logging On is one of the simplest and most effective safety measures available to boaters,” he said.
“Whether you use the free Marine Rescue NSW app or Log On via VHF Channel 16, you’ll be providing our radio operators with your trip details. If you don’t return as planned, we know where to start looking, which can save valuable time in an emergency.”
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer‑based, not‑for‑profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe across the state. Its 3,500 trained volunteers support communities through search and rescue operations, marine radio monitoring and boating safety education.