Photo: Marine Rescue NSW / (X) Twitter
Marine Rescue NSW is boosting its presence on Sydney Harbour as the city prepares to gear up for the summer holidays.
Middle Harbour and Port Jackson volunteers will now provide seven-day patrols during daylight hours across December and January with crews to remain on call overnight.
Marine Rescue NSW Acting Deputy Commissioner Dan Duemmer says the decision is in response to expectations of large numbers of boaters taking to the harbour.
“The Greater Sydney region is the busiest boating area in the state.
“Volunteers and vessels from Middle Harbour or Port Jackson will be on the water for 62 days straight to assist boaters in need, significantly reducing response times,” he says.
“So far this year, volunteers from both of Marine Rescue NSW’s Sydney Harbour units completed 357 search and rescue missions, including 28 emergency responses, and safely returned 992 people to shore,” Duemmer pointed out.
He says more than half of these missions were for engine or battery failures or running out of fuel.
“Many of these issues are preventable,” Duemmer says.
“We urge all boaters to ensure their vessels are in good working order before heading out and to always carry enough clean fuel with plenty in reserve.
“With the amount of traffic on Sydney Harbour, including large commercial vessels, boaters need to be aware of the dangers if their vessel fails on such a busy waterway,” he says.
The Marine Rescue units will have four rescue vessels that will allow them to patrol the harbour waters but also help boaters offshore.
“Marine Rescue Middle Harbour’s 11.5-metre Steber and both of Marine Rescue Port Jackson’s Naiad vessels are capable of assisting boaters up to 30 nautical miles (55 km) offshore,” Duemmer says.
AWARENESS MESSAGE
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour Deputy Unit Commander Glen Lighton emphasised the importance of safety and weather awareness.
“Whether heading out on the harbour or offshore, it is vitally important for boaters to carry the correct safety equipment, always wear a lifejacket, and continually monitor the weather,” he says.
“A sudden change in conditions can lead to life-threatening incidents, such as capsizing or running aground on rocks.”
Duemmer also encouraged boaters to always log on with Marine Rescue NSW, via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or marine radio VHF channel 16.
“There is definite room for improvement from the Greater Sydney boating community in logging on and off with Marine Rescue NSW,” he says.
“Logging on provides details of their trip; in the event they don’t return as planned, a search can be initiated. Logging on saves precious time in an emergency. It only takes a minute to protect a lifetime,” he said.
Volunteer operators and watch officers at Marine Rescue’s Sydney State Communications Centre manage radio calls on Sydney Harbour 24/7 year-round.
