Marine Rescue NSW volunteers experienced reduced demand in May, with unfavourable boating weather leading to fewer boaters heading out on the water and requiring assistance.
“That is exactly what we want to see at Marine Rescue NSW – as few rescues as possible, with boaters not endangering themselves or others for a day on the water,” said Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell.
After completing 369 rescues in April, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state performed 202 search and rescue missions last month, including 65 emergency responses, safely returning 406 people to shore.
Volunteer crews responded to 12 capsized vessels in May, while 10% of missions were to assist grounded vessels.
“Boaters must pay close attention to tides, conditions, and navigation markers to avoid grounding their vessel and potentially finding themselves in a life-threatening situation,” Commissioner Barrell said.
With numerous hazardous surf warnings issued across the state last month, the Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner is urging boaters to continue to heed the warnings.
“Your life is not worth a fish or a day on the water. Offshore conditions have been unfavourable, and boaters should be commended for not going out.
“Boaters need to accept and respect the conditions – the sea shows no mercy. Before heading out, always check the weather and conditions, and continue to monitor them,” he said.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers kept watch over almost 12,000 people on board Logged On vessels last month, with radio operators managing 13,626 radio calls, including two MAYDAYs.
“Logging On ensures our dedicated volunteers keep watch for a boater’s safe return, and in the event they go overdue, a search will be initiated.
“It only takes a minute to Log On and protect a lifetime – using the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie was the busiest unit in the state for the third consecutive month, while Marine Rescue Port Kembla remains in demand. The Illawarra unit was the fourth busiest in the state last month – its second top-five appearance of the year.
Middle Harbour 30 tows a disabled vessel to safety May 4
Breakdown of May 2025 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
GREATER SYDNEY – 65 search & rescue missions including 13 emergency responses with 151 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Greater Sydney units – Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Broken Bay, Sydney – State Communications Centre, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson & Botany Port Hacking.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Sydney State Communications Centre 17, Botany Port Hacking 15, Middle Harbour 12
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST – 62 search & rescue missions including 15 emergency responses with 120 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Hunter Central Coast units – Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Central Coast & Terrigal.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Lake Macquarie 26, Brisbane Water 11, Port Stephens 9
NORTHERN RIVERS – 21 search & rescue missions including 9 emergency responses with 40 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Northern Rivers units – Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba & Wooli.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Point Danger 10, Ballina 4, Illuka Yamba 3
MID NORTH COAST – 22 search & rescue missions including 11 emergency responses with 36 people safely returned to shore across all 9 Mid North Coast units – Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Trial Bay, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Crowdy Harrington & Forster Tuncurry.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Port Macquarie 10, Forster Tuncurry 5, Coffs Harbour 3
ILLAWARRA – 20 search & rescue missions including 12 emergency responses with 37 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units – Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla & Kioloa.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Port Kembla 12, Ulladulla 3, Jervis Bay 3
MONARO – 12 search & rescue missions including 5 emergency response with 22 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Monaro units – Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Alpine Lakes & Moama.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Batemans Bay 8, Merimbula 2, Narooma 1
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.