Marine Rescue NSW records busy 2023

Marine Rescue NSW has completed its busiest year on record with 4,786 search and rescue missions across the state in 2023, as favourable weather lures boaters onto waterways.

All six regions with Marine Rescue NSW units had a record number of rescues in 2023, surpassing last year’s record figure, the volunteer water rescue organisation safely returned 10,645 people to shore in an 18 per cent increase in rescue missions across the state’s coastal and inland waterways.

For the Illawarra there were 481 search and rescue missions including 245 emergency responses with 1,091 people safely returned to shore.

Locations of highest demand were Port Kembla, Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven.