Demand for Marine Rescue NSW assistance last month has resulted in the busiest September on record for the volunteer-based service.
Marine Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said demand across the state exceeded that of September 2023, when volunteer crews completed 360 search and rescue missions.
“We would much prefer to be seeing record-low numbers because when demand for Marine Rescue NSW is down, it means boaters are having an enjoyable day on the water and returning home safely.
“Unfortunately, that wasn’t the story last month, with crews in high demand, performing 372 search and rescue missions, including 134 emergency responses, and safely returning 802 people to shore. “Concerningly, 65% of responses were for engine, battery and fuel issues, many of which are preventable with better vessel maintenance, planning and preparation.
“Boaters need to be meticulous in ensuring their vessel is in good working order, they have enough clean fuel, are carrying the correct safety equipment, wearing a lifejacket and monitoring the weather”
- Acting Commissioner AndrewsMarine Rescue NSW’s Greater Sydney and Monaro (South Coast) regions both experienced a record September, with crews across Greater Sydney completing 141 search and rescue missions, while volunteers in the Monaro performed 45 with Marine Rescue Batemans Bay conducting almost half (22), resulting in the unit being the fourth busiest in the state.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers managed 21,100 radio calls in September, including nine Mayday and four Pan Pan calls, and kept watch over 26,556 people on board Logged On vessels.
“Logging On takes just a minute and provides peace of mind for boaters and their loved ones because if they don’t return from their trip on the water as planned, a search will be initiated,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said.
Boaters can Log On with Marine Rescue NSW via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16.
“All boaters using the Marine Rescue NSW app are encouraged to enable location services for faster, more accurate help when you need it most — it could save your life,” he said.
September search and rescue missions since 2021:
- September 2025 – 372
- September 2024 – 291
- September 2023 – 360
- September 2022 – 230
- September 2021 – 209
Breakdown of September 2025 search & rescue missions across Marine Rescue NSW regions:
NORTHERN RIVERS – 31 search & rescue missions including 18 emergency responses with 81 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 16, Brunswick 6, Ballina 5
MID NORTH COAST – 27 search & rescue missions including 17 emergency responses with 50 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 7, Coffs Harbour 5, Forster Tuncurry 5
Marine Rescue Woolgoolga volunteers assist a yacht offshore
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST – 98 search & rescue missions including 19 emergency responses with 186 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 40, Brisbane Water 19, Port Stephens 17
Lemon Tree 30 returns a group of boaters to shore
GREATER SYDNEY ***REGION RECORD*** 141 search & rescue missions including 26 emergency responses with 330 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 40, Botany Port Hacking 39, Port Jackson 21
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour played a role in the record 141 missions completed by units across Greater Sydney in September
A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Middle Harbour responds to a call for assistance
ILLAWARRA – 30 search & rescue missions including 20 emergency responses with 60 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:
Jervis Bay 8, Port Kembla 6, Ulladulla 5, Shoalhaven 5
Shellharbour 30 provides an assist off Bass Point
Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet completed a night assist on Saturday 20 September
MONARO ***REGION RECORD*** 45 search & rescue missions including 34 emergency responses with 95 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 22, Bermagui 8, Narooma 7
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
