The Lake Macquarie region has been identified as the waterway where boaters are most likely to need assistance in NSW as almost a third of Marine Rescue NSW units across the state experienced record demand last year.
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers rescued nine people from a sinking vessel off Swansea Heads
Marine Rescue’s Lake Macquarie unit performed more than 594 search and rescue missions, coming in ahead of the Marine Rescue Sydney, State Communications Centre on 493 during a busy year for the volunteer rescue organisation.
Volunteer crews performed 4,512 search and rescue missions across the state and safely returned almost 10,000 people to shore during 2025.
The five busiest Marine Rescue NSW units for search and rescue missions were:
- Lake Macquarie – 594
- Sydney – 493
- Botany Port Hacking – 396
- Middle Harbour – 254
- Port Jackson – 243
Fourteen of the 46 Marine Rescue NSW units across the state experienced record demand for volunteer services in 2025. The Point Danger, Nambucca, Lord Howe Island, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Broken Bay, Middle Harbour, Sussex Inlet, Kioloa, Narooma, Bermagui and Eden units all recorded record demand.
Marine Rescue Broken Bay volunteers respond to a boater in distress
Greater Sydney was the busiest region with 1,737 search and rescue missions performed by volunteers. The Monaro region, which covers Batemans Bay to Eden and inland waterways including the Alpine Lakes and the Murray River at Moama, recorded its busiest year ever.
Marine Rescue NSW has credited improved boating education and boaters heeding weather warnings for a six per cent reduction in incidents compared with the record 4,786 search and rescue missions conducted in 2023.
In 2025, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers responded to a wide range of incidents, including missing person searches, vessel fires and medical emergencies.
Sixty-one per cent of responses could have been prevented with improved boat maintenance, with engine, battery and fuel issues again the leading reasons for boaters requesting assistance.
Marine Rescue NSW radio operators kept watch over almost 270,000 people on board 71,487 logged-on vessels in 2025 and managed 226,946 radio calls, including 105 MAYDAYs and 56 PAN-PANs (A MAYDAY is a distress call for life-threatening emergencies, a PAN PAN is an urgent call signalling a serious situation).
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were in high demand across the state in 2025
Boaters are urged to follow these steps to stay safe on the state’s waterways:
- Log On and Off with Marine Rescue NSW via VHF Channel 16 or use the free Marine Rescue NSW app available for iOS and Android devices
- Ensure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket
- Check that your vessel’s engine and battery are working
- Carry enough fuel, including a reserve
- Always check conditions and ensure required safety equipment is carried
In 2025, Marine Rescue NSW surpassed 3,500 volunteers, with 50 under the age of 20, including 16-year-old Noah Blackwell, who followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Botany Port Hacking unit.
L to R Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib – Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit Commander Aaron Blackwell – trainee crew Noah Blackwell – MRNSW Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“The demand on Marine Rescue NSW volunteers is constant throughout the year. These volunteers play a vital role in keeping everyone safe on the state’s waterways, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Sadly, in recent weeks we have seen lives lost on our coastline including two at Palm Beach when their boat capsized, demonstrating the challenges that can be faced on our waterways.”
“Marine Rescue NSW volunteers stand ready to provide a rapid response to assist boaters in need, at any time of day or night, and we know this summer will continue to be busy on our waterways.”
“Through simple steps like checking you have the right equipment we can help ensure everyone returns home safely from a day out enjoying our beautiful coastline and waterways.”
“Whether operating on enclosed or open waters, it is essential that boaters carry the appropriate safety equipment, always wear a lifejacket, ensure their vessel is in good working order, carry sufficient fuel, regularly monitor weather conditions and always Log On with Marine Rescue NSW.”
“I commend our highly skilled and dedicated Marine Rescue NSW volunteers for their unwavering commitment to saving lives on the water, often in challenging conditions.”
“I’d encourage anyone thinking of volunteering to reach out to Marine Rescue NSW, including younger members of the community who will become the next generation playing a vital role in supporting their local communities.”
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour was one of the busiest units in NSW
Marine Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said:
“Our dedicated volunteers responded to numerous fatalities on the state’s waterways in 2025.”
“There is a fine line between a great day on the water and the worst—or possibly last—day of your life. A single poor decision or lack of preparation can lead to a life-threatening situation. Conditions can deteriorate quickly, with weather, water, wind and waves all combining to create serious risk.”
“Always wear a lifejacket, continually monitor conditions and never put your life, or the lives of others, at risk.”
“Consistent boating safety education plays a vital role in reducing preventable incidents.”
“Marine Rescue NSW wants to see preventable issues reduced. Sixty-one per cent is too high, and boaters have a role to play in bringing this number down.”
“Marine Rescue NSW radio operators are the vital link between land and sea and are often the first voice heard by a boater in distress. They play a critical role in search and rescue operations, and boaters can be assured that Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are available around the clock.”
Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteers perform an assist off Currarong
Marine Rescue NSW volunteer, Noah Blackwell said:
“I joined Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking to learn, give back to the community and spend time with dad.”
“There is so much to learn including first aid and boating safety and I really enjoy learning how to drive the rescue vessel.”
16 year old volunteer Noah Blackwell preparing Marine Rescue NSW vessel Botany Hacking 30
Breakdown of 2025 rescues across regions:
Across NSW, volunteer crews performed 4,512 search and rescue missions, including 1,326 emergency responses, safely returning 9,886 people to shore who required assistance on the state’s waterways.
Northern Rivers
327 search and rescue missions including 179 emergency responses with 722 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Northern Rivers units – Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba & Wooli.
Locations of highest demand were Point Danger 149, Ballina 56 and Iluka Yamba 48.
Of note: Marine Rescue Point Danger set a new unit calendar year record with 149 missions surpassing 145 set in 2022.
Mid North Coast
345 search and rescue missions including 183 emergency responses with 702 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 and Forster Tuncurry.
Locations of highest demand were Forster Tuncurry 102, Port Macquarie 84 and Coffs Harbour 57.
Of note: Marine Rescue Nambucca equalled its unit calendar year record with 17 missions first set in 2020.
Hunter/Central Coast
1,362 search and rescue missions including 295 emergency responses with 2,729 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 and Terrigal.
Locations of highest demand were Lake Macquarie 594, Brisbane Water 235 and Port Stephens 234.
Of note: Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie was the busiest in the state. Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage set a new unit calendar year record with 99 missions surpassing 83 set in 2023. Marine Rescue Newcastle set a new unit calendar year record with 77 missions surpassing 62 set in 2023. Marine Rescue Norah Head equalled its unit calendar year record of 18 missions first set in 2024. Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes set a new unit calendar year record with 93 missions surpassing 69 set in 2024.
Marine Rescue Port Stephens crew assists a sailor in challenging conditions
Greater Sydney
1,737 search and rescue missions including 261 emergency responses with 4,182 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Greater Sydney units – Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Broken Bay, Sydney (State Communications Centre), Middle Harbour, Port Jackson and Botany Port Hacking.
Locations of highest demand were Sydney (State Communications Centre) 493, Botany Port Hacking 396, Middle Harbour 254 and Port Jackson 243.
Of note: Marine Rescue Middle Harbour set a new unit calendar year record with 254 missions surpassing 199 set in 2022. Marine Rescue Broken Bay set a new unit calendar year record with 153 missions surpassing 147 set in 2023.
Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking crew
Illawarra
457 search and rescue missions including 226 emergency responses with 955 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units – Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa.
Locations of highest demand were Port Kembla 124, Jervis Bay 120 and Sussex Inlet 71.
Of note: Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet set a new unit calendar year record with 71 search and rescue missions surpassing 60 performed in 2023 and 2024. Marine Rescue Kioloa set a new unit calendar year record with 8 missions surpassing 6 set in 2018.
Marine Rescue NSW vessel Sussex Inlet 20
Monaro **REGION RECORD**
284 search and rescue missions including 182 emergency responses with 596 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Monaro units – Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Alpine Lakes and Moama.
Locations of highest demand were Batemans Bay 121, Eden 43 and Bermagui 43.
Of note: Marine Rescue Eden set a new unit calendar year record with 42 search and rescue missions surpassing 32 set in 2022. Marine Rescue Bermagui equalled its busiest calendar year of 32 missions set in 2022.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
