Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state returned 823 people safely to shore during November, completing more than 370 search and rescue missions, including 108 emergency responses.
Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said demand remains high for the volunteer service.
“Following successive record months in September and October, our volunteers were in high demand throughout November, completing 373 search and rescue missions, just 18 fewer than the record set in 2022.
We are seeing more boaters out on the water and expect those numbers to rise as we head into the summer holidays. Boaters need to ensure their vessel is well maintained, carry ample clean fuel, and always wear a lifejacket to avoid becoming a statistic.”
- Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews
Marine Rescue NSW encourages boaters to always wear a lifejacket
Marine Rescue NSW crews across Greater Sydney were the busiest, completing 161 search and rescue missions and returning 397 people to shore, almost half of all rescues across the state in November.
Last month, 56% of responses were for engine, battery, and fuel issues, while crews also attended 22 groundings.
“Groundings are avoidable. Boaters must be aware of the tides, the environment, and conditions. If boating in an unfamiliar area, consult local charts and speak with the nearest Marine Rescue NSW unit before heading out,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators managed 17,566 calls in November and kept watch over 19,467 people on board Logged On vessels.
“Logging On is quick and simple and could save your life. Boaters can Log On 24/7 via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16. Logging On ensures our skilled volunteers can monitor a boater’s safe return, and if they go overdue, a search will be initiated,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said.
Breakdown of November 2025 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
NORTHERN RIVERS – 28 search & rescue missions including 20 emergency responses with 63 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 9, Cape Byron 6, Ballina 6
MID NORTH COAST – 23 search & rescue missions including 11 emergency responses with 54 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:
Forster Tuncurry 9, Port Macquarie 6, Coffs Harbour 4
Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry prepares to deploy for an offshore mission
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST – 112 search & rescue missions including 29 emergency responses with 211 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Hunter Central Coast units – Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Brisbane Water & Terrigal.
Number of search and rescue missions in locations of highest demand:
Lake Macquarie 45, Brisbane Water 18, Port Stephens 15
Port Stephens crew member with rescued sailor
GREATER SYDNEY – 161 search & rescue missions including 26 emergency responses with 397 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 50, Botany Port Hacking 33, Middle Harbour 27
A crew from Marine Rescue Middle Harbour assists a disabled vessel
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour responded to a grounded vessel in late November
Marine Rescue NSW crews across Greater Sydney were the busiest completing 161 search and rescue missions and returning 397 people to shore in November
Port Jackson 31 tows a disabled vessel
ILLAWARRA – 36 search & rescue missions including 16 emergency responses with 76 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 11, Sussex Inlet 9, Jervis Bay 9
MONARO – 13 search & rescue missions including 6 emergency responses 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 5, Narooma 4, Bermagui 2, Eden 2
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
