Surf Life Saving NSW has an additional 14 jetskis positioned along the coast to protect and save lives this summer.
The latest rollout of new craft is part of a NSW Government funded increase to capability that will see 67 new Rescue Water Craft (RWC) in service over the next four years.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib was joined by Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill and Federal Member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite to see some of the RWCs in action at Malabar, operated by two of Sydney Branch’s highly skilled female drivers.
The delivery of the new craft is timely with the surge in numbers of people visiting beaches across NSW. Volunteers have rescued more than 650 people since 23 December and there have sadly been eight coastal drownings so far this summer.
Accounting for roughly 13 per cent of rescues conducted by SLSNSW volunteers last year, RWCs play a key role in keeping people safe. Their versatility and maneuverability, particularly in the surf zone and around rock platforms makes them a vital component of SLSNSW’s Support Operations role.
The new RWCs will replace some of the current fleet, ensuring standardisation across NSW and providing safe, modern craft for volunteer operators.
“Jet skis are the backbone of our Support Operations response capability, especially away from patrolled locations and in search and rescue situations,” said SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce.
“It’s great to see our operator numbers expanding and in particular more female jet ski drivers coming on board.”
There are approximately 300 trained RWC operators in NSW, around 75 are female.
The new RWCs are in operation at the following locations:
- Brunswick Heads
- Nambucca
- Scotts Head
- Black Head
- Pacific Palms
- Hunter – Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie
- The Lakes
- Dee Why
- Freshwater
- Malabar
- Coledale
- Windang
- Tuross Beach
- Tathra
Thursday 4 January 2024
