1/7

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers respond to almost 700 incidents in January

intouch Magazine
3 hours ago
3 min read

Two people in blue uniforms on a marine rescue boat, NSW, on a sunny day. Background: blue water, another boat, distant hills.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state have begun the year in high demand, completing 668 search and rescue missions during January, including 162 emergency responses and the safe return of 1,644 people to shore.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Dan Duemmer said the peak boating period saw volunteers respond to a wide range of incidents, including EPIRB activations, sinking vessels, medical emergencies and numerous missing person searches.

“Our volunteers are highly trained and prepared to respond rapidly to many types of emergencies on the water,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said.

“In January alone, crews attended 19 medical emergencies on our waterways, including cardiac arrest.”

Crews also carried out more than 50 assists to grounded vessels, which Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said were largely avoidable.

“Boaters must be aware of tides, their surrounding environment and prevailing conditions,” he said.

“If boating in an unfamiliar area, do your preparation, consult local charts and speak with the nearest Marine Rescue NSW unit before launching.”

Almost half of all responses across the state during January were related to engine issues.

“Boaters must ensure their vessel is in good working order before heading out, carry sufficient clean fuel, have the correct safety equipment on board, always wear a life jacket and check the weather,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said.

Greater Sydney was the busiest region during January, with volunteer crews completing 282 search and rescue missions. The Middle Harbour and Port Jackson units also recorded their busiest peak summer period on record, providing daily on-water support over 62 days during December and January.

“Volunteer crews from our two Sydney Harbour based units were in high demand on the state’s busiest waterway across December and January, completing a combined 183 missions, safely returning 514 people to shore.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer also praised the Service’s radio operators for their vital behind-the-scenes work.

“Our radio operators are the backbone of Marine Rescue NSW. Their skill and knowledge are invaluable in assisting boaters on the state’s waterways,” he said.

During January, Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed almost 27,000 calls and monitored 33,646 people on board vessels that had Logged On.

“Boaters can Log On 24/7 via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or on VHF Channel 16. Logging On allows our skilled volunteers to monitor a vessel’s safe return, and if a boater becomes overdue, a search can be initiated,” the Acting Deputy Commissioner said.

Breakdown of January 2026 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:

NORTHERN RIVERS – 37 search & rescue missions including 18 emergency responses with 94 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Northern Rivers units – Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba & Wooli.