RICK Stone, Deputy Unit Commander of Marine Rescue Camden Haven, has an important safety message for boaties over the winter period.
“Weather can change quickly at this time of year and fog banks can roll in suddenly,” Deputy Unit Commander Stone said. “If you have radar on your boat, make sure you know how to use it.
“People are less-inclined to go out boating when it’s cold, so this is a great time to carry out boat maintenance,” he said.
Engine issues are the leading cause of rescues, accounting for up to 40 per cent of callouts to Marine Rescue NSW.
Statistics from Marine Rescue NSW show that the organisation’s volunteers completed 235 search and rescue missions across the state’s waterways during June, safely returning 548 people to shore as demand for the service remained strong despite cooler weather.
Their volunteer radio operators managed 20,267 radio calls during June, including three MAYDAY and two Pan Pan calls.
Radio operators also monitored the safe return of 21,654 people on board 6,341 vessels that logged on with Marine Rescue NSW before heading out.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers on the Mid North Coast experienced their busiest June on record, completing 35 search and rescue missions, while Marine Rescue Port Macquarie also experienced record demand, undertaking 16 rescue missions.
Relatively warmer water temperatures on the Mid North Coast mean hypothermia is not a huge concern, however DUC Stone cautioned that boat owners needed to be aware of whale migration, with the large mammals often displaying unpredictable movements.
He also emphasised the importance of regular maintenance routines and including gear such as life jackets in these.
Transport NSW requires that life jackets be serviced every 12 months and that the date of the service be recorded on the inside of the life jacket.
Marine Rescue Camden Haven is holding a safety information Day at Laurieton United Services Club on 15 August and a Base Open Day on 16 August.
By Rachael THORPE
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