Marine Rescue NSW sees surge in boating traffic
More boaters logging on with Marine Rescue and none figured in the summer drowning statsAuthorities don’t want to encourage complacency, but the NSW Government’s water safety messaging is cutting through, with a record number of boaters logging their trips with Marine Rescue NSW before heading out on the water.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant recently said that in a push to increase water safety more than 35,000 boaters had Logged On with the State’s official volunteer rescue service during the peak boating season from October to March.
The fantastic and user-friendly MarineRescue app is at least partly responsible for the upsurge in logged boating trips. We have used this phone-accessible service previously and can’t rate it highly enough.
"This is an increase of more than 1000 on last summer and almost 6000 more than in the 2014/2015 boating season," Mr Grant said.
"The NSW Government is prioritising water safety. We have allocated $11 million over three years for water safety initiatives, but we cannot be present at every waterway at all times," he said.
Of course, individuals need to take responsibility for their own actions. But that's what more boaters in NSW are doing, as the positive trend in logging trip details shows we are putting safety first.
"I encourage all boaters to take advantage of the free Log On service all year round, whenever they head out on the water," Mr Grant said.
HOW TO LOG ON
Logging On is quick and simple, with boaters simply contacting Marine Rescue via their marine radio, phone or the MarineRescue App to advise where they are heading, how many people were on board, and when they expected to return.
"They can then get on with enjoying their day. If they don’t Log Off as scheduled, we will start to look for them," said Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos.
You can find out more about marine radios and Logging on and Logging Off in this link.
Marine Rescue NSW has more than 3000 volunteer members based in 45 units along the coastline from Tweed Heads to Eden and inland on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River.
NO BOATING DROWNINGS IN NSW THIS SUMMER
In 2015/2016, its professionally trained and equipped volunteers rescued more than 3000 vessels, including 723 caught in life-endangering emergencies.
Despite a spike in drowning fatalities over summer, no boaters figured in the toll. So keep logging on before heading offshore to help with that improving boating safety record. The MarineRescue App can be downloaded for free from the App store.
More at www.marinerescuensw.com.au.
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