Surf Life Saving NSW has supported SES in flood zones with volunteer lifesavers responding to calls for assistance across Sydney and the Central Coast in the wake of the wild storms that battered the region over the weekend and into Monday.
This has included the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, which went to the aid of a bulk carrier with 21 crew aboard, stranded and drifting off the coast of the Royal National Park.
At around 8:30am, the helicopter was tasked along with Toll Ambulance Helicopter, to potentially winch a number of the crew from the ship, which had lost power one nautical mile offshore and was heading for the rocks.
After a couple of attempts, it was decided that the large tower cranes on the ship made it unsuitable for winching and the helicopters returned to the Cape Banks base to remain on standby.
Further, as at 3:00pm this afternoon, SLSNSW had assets deployed in Liverpool, Camden and Penrith, assisting SES with evacuation orders. Three UAV Strike Teams from the Australian UAV Service spent the day surveilling the area between Western Sydney and the Hawkesbury, while 15 volunteers lifesavers assisted by door knocking in Spencer on the Central Coast.
In all, 10 Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs), multiple UAVs and nearly 40 people have been deployed to flood areas on Monday.
SLSNSW assets have also been utilised to assist SES with the following:
- Resupply of stranded communities
- Assisting NSW Ambulance to access remote addresses
- Damage assessments of infrastructure
- Flood rescue support of SES personnel
- Assistance of stranded residents
SLSNSW remains on standby ahead of anticipated further assistance on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Widespread beach erosion and damage to access ways on beaches and at surf clubs has also occurred throughout the region.
Monday 4 July 2022