Welcome to the Gear and Equipment section of the website.

In this section you will find:

  • Gear and Equipment Manual
  • Coastal Radio Network
  • Vessel Registrations

Gear and Equipment Manual

Coastal Radio Network

Surf Life Saving NSW own and operate a comprehensive Radio Network for Lifesaving Services in NSW that connects all 129 clubs, Lifeguards, RWCs, IRB, Offshore Boats, helicopters and support services with our state operations centre in Sydney. We are currently migrating all Branches from analogue to a digital network which will improve performance and give GPS capability for all units in the field. Currently Mid North Coast, Sydney Northern Beaches, Sydney (Bondi to Burning Palms) and Illawarra are on the digital network with Central Coast and then Far North Coast scheduled in the coming year.

Our State Operations Centre in Sydney manages the whole state network, taking calls from Police, Ambulance and rescue services before identifying and tasking the most appropriate assets on the beach to attend any incident.

To operate this extensive network and our communications with Emergency Services, the State Operations Centre is staffed by professional and highly trained operators working from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, 7 days a week supported by a network of Volunteer State Duty Officers who monitor all emergency channels after hours.

Vessel Registrations

Under NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) regulations it is illegal to operate an unregistered vessel. SLSNSW holds a special exemption which allows clubs/branches to register their vessels internally (with SLSNSW) – saving considerable workload on members. Please see outline of process below;

Existing Vessels: Complete an Annual Gear and Equipment Inspection of the vessel. Club to log details on SurfGuard.

Existing vessels which are not on SurfGuard: Complete the ‘SLSNSW Vessel Registration Application Form’ and return to SLSNSW. Clubs are required to update information in SurfGuard.

New vessels: Complete the ‘SLSNSW Vessel Registration Application Form’ and return to SLSNSW. SLSNSW will issue a vessel registration number (SR number). Clubs are required to update information in SurfGuard.

Vessels being sold or disposed of: Complete the ‘Transfer of Vessel Registration Form’ and return to SLSNSW. Remove SR numbers and SLS signage before selling or disposing of vessel. Clubs are required to update information in SurfGuard.

Please email all forms to lifesaving@surflifesaving.com.au