Iconic red and yellow flags have returned to NSW beaches as thousands of surf lifesaving volunteers return to the state’s coastline for the 2024/25 Surf Life Saving Patrol Season.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib joined life savers at Coogee Beach in Sydney on the weekend to mark the commencement of the patrol season, which runs to 27 April 2025 and will see more than 21,000 active Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) volunteers out in force on the state’s beaches.
Last patrol season, volunteers and lifeguards performed more than 4,400 rescues and about 1.1 million preventative actions, helping to keep beachgoers safe over the popular warmer months.
The rescue efforts of surf lifesaving volunteers will be bolstered this season with new equipment and vessels, as part of the NSW government’s record $72 million investment over four years in SLSNSW.
Several assets and initiatives are set to be delivered across NSW this patrol season, including a new centralised repository for coastal lifesaving and lifeguard data.
The Coastal Safety Data Hub will help water safety stakeholders including SLSNSW, as well as state and local governments, better understand when services should be delivered and where rescue assets are located to help reduce response times to incidents along the NSW coastline.
New assets and initiatives
• 14 new jet skis across the state to help conduct lifesaving operations (nearly 500 rescues in 2023/24 were made using jet skis).
• 11 upgraded Rescue Operations vehicles fitted out with rescue equipment, allowing duty officers to respond to remote incidents along the NSW coastline.
• Eight new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) installed at higher risk locations, bringing the state’s total to 40. ERBs connect callers to SLSNSW’s State Operations Centre to enable the rapid deployment of lifesaving and emergency services to a potential rescue site.
• The installation and retrofitting of rescue tube devices to new and existing ERBs, for use by first responders or members of the public attempting a rescue.
• The development of the Coastal Safety Data Hub – a new portal for key stakeholders to share coastal insights and water safety data.
• A new water safety campaign supported by the NSW government to address the high coastal drowning toll, reaching at-risk audiences with critical safety messaging.
Drownings
Last year, there were 61 coastal drownings, all of which occurred at unpatrolled locations or outside of patrol hours. SLSNSW responded to 805 emergency callouts, deploying lifesaving assets such as rescue boats, jet skis, drones, and helicopters.
During the patrol season, volunteer surf lifesavers monitor 129 NSW beaches on the weekends and public holidays. Outside patrol season, many NSW beaches are monitored by Council lifeguards.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, ‘As the weather warms up and patrol season kicks in, it’s a timely reminder to people to always swim between the flags and follow the advice of Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers and professionals.
‘Our volunteer lifesavers do an incredible job, and people need to do their bit by swimming in patrolled areas during patrol hours – no matter how strong a swimmer you consider yourself to be.’
Surf Life Saving NSW President Peter Agnew AM said, ‘We’re excited to be back on NSW beaches for another patrol season. We look forward to making the most of new rescue equipment which will help us protect lives along our coastline this summer.
‘It’s pleasing to see the NSW government acknowledges the value of the contribution made by our skilled and highly trained volunteer lifesavers.’
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