Answering the Call: How One Boater Became a Marine Rescue NSW Volunteer.
After needing help herself, Christina Echols now stands ready to help others, blending her passion for the water with the camaraderie of a dedicated rescue crew.
Marine Rescue Point Danger volunteer Christina Echols
Marine Rescue NSW is powered by more than 3,500 volunteers, the very heartbeat of an organisation that works tirelessly to keep boaters safe on the water. Whether responding to emergencies, patrolling waterways, or assisting with community education, these men and women are the face of reassurance for recreational boaters across the state.
The work is not only vital but often demanding. On-water roles require courage, skill, and the ability to make calm decisions under pressure, while shore-based volunteers provide equally essential support through communications, logistics, and administration. Backed by structured training and the camaraderie of their fellow crew, volunteers quickly discover that Marine Rescue is as much about community and teamwork as it is about boats and rescues.
For many, the pathway to volunteering begins with a personal experience. Such was the case for Christina Echols, a Canadian-born water enthusiast now living in Australia. Christina’s journey with Marine Rescue Point Danger began on Australia Day 2024, when a breakdown on the Tweed River required her to call for help. That tow not only brought her safely back to shore, it sparked a new calling. Within a day she had applied to join, and less than a year later she proudly passed her crew assessment.
Today, Christina continues to grow her skills as she works towards becoming a rescue jet-ski operator. Outside of her volunteering, she is a competitive Masters swimmer who has represented her club at international level, recently placing fifth in her age group at the World Masters Swimming Championships in Singapore. Her story is one of passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to giving back to the boating community.
Marine Business News had a chat to Christina. This is what she had to say:
Christina, can you take us back to that Australia Day when your boat broke down? How did that experience lead to your decision to join Marine Rescue NSW the very next day?
In Canada we do not have a Marine Rescue organisation. Therefore, my inclination when my boat broke down, was to flag somebody down for help or to try and fix the problem myself. After multiple attempts to get my engine started and two different short tows from other friendly boaties, my friend insisted on calling Marine Rescue despite my protests!
I was reluctant at first, but when they arrived, I was impressed by how professional and friendly the crew was. Seeing the interior of the rescue boat, MRPD 31, was a bonus, and I knew then and there that I wanted to be a part of the Point Danger crew.
An Australia Day Christina will never forget, being assisted to shore by Marine Rescue Point Danger
What was it like going through the training and eventually passing your crew assessment within your first year? Were there moments that really tested you?
When I first started training to be a crew member, I was encouraged to learn at my own pace. I quickly realised there was a lot to learn, and I made a conscious decision to take my time and fully absorb the information before seeking my assessment.
The entire organisation was incredibly welcoming and helpful, which made what could have been an overwhelming year of learning a truly enjoyable one. I put myself on as many roster days as I could and made sure that I got experience with all of the different coxswains at Point Danger.
Coming from a background of only using small boats on lakes, the most significant challenge for me was adapting to operations on a much larger vessel in offshore conditions.
You’re now working towards becoming a rescue watercraft operator. What excites you most about that next step, and what extra challenges does it bring?
By taking on another role at Marine Rescue, I’m finding new ways to stay engaged. I enjoy learning new things, and having never driven a JetSki, this opportunity offers a completely different challenge. My experience with whitewater kayaking and body surfing gives me a solid foundation, and I’m excited to translate that passion for the waves and white water into the thrill of operating a jet ski in the ocean.
As someone who has lived and grown up around water, from Canada’s lakes to the Tweed River, how has Marine Rescue allowed you to connect with that lifelong passion?
A day on roster with Marine Rescue is a day spent on the water, surrounded by nature. It’s an opportunity to sharpen my boating skills while enjoying the camaraderie of others who share the same passion for the water.
Volunteering is as much about people as it is about service. How would you describe the camaraderie and team culture at Marine Rescue NSW?
The team at Marine Rescue New South Wales has been incredibly welcoming, patient, and eager to teach me new skills from the very start. They make the learning process enjoyable, and every day I’m on roster, it feels less like a job and more like a privilege.
You’re also a dedicated Masters swimmer and recently competed on the world stage in Singapore. Do you find that your swimming discipline helps with the demands of rescue work?
While my competitive swimming is excellent for meeting the 200-meter timed swim requirement for jet ski operators, the skills I’ve developed from other water-based activities are far more transferable to rescue work.
My background in surf life-saving, lifeguarding, whitewater kayaking, and sailing provides the direct and practical foundation I rely on every day.
Christina (far right) after competing at the World Masters Swimming Championships in August
Christina (far right) with fellow competitors in Singapore
Looking back at your first year as a volunteer, what has surprised you the most about Marine Rescue NSW, either about the organisation itself or about yourself?
The size of Marine Rescue New South Wales and the breadth of its operations is probably what has surprised me the most. I am excited by the opportunities into the future and the fact that I can see myself volunteering for this organisation in different roles in the long-term.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about volunteering but isn’t sure whether they have the right skills or experience?
Regardless of your background and experience, the people at Marine Rescue New South Wales are happy to take you under their wing and teach you what you need to know. Everyone learns at their own speed and there is no pressure to level up until you are ready.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
