Marine Rescue NSW volunteers say they carried out 37 search and rescue missions across the Northern Rivers last month.
More than half, 18, were reportedly emergency responses with 94 people safely returned to shore.
The Point Danger unit in the Tweed Shire was the busiest of the region’s seven, with volunteers there carrying out twenty missions in a month.
Six missions were recorded for Ballina, four in Brunswick, and four in Iluka Yamba.
Engine troubles account for more than half all missions
Volunteers carried out 668 rescue missions across the state throughout January.
They said 162 were emergency responses and that 1,644 people had been safely returned to shore.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Dan Duemmer said the peak boating period saw volunteers respond to a wide range of incidents, including EPIRB activations, sinking vessels, medical emergencies and numerous missing person searches.
Crews attended 19 medical emergencies on waterways, including cardiac arrest, Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said.
He said crews also carried out more than 50 assists to grounded vessels, which were largely avoidable.
‘Boaters must be aware of tides, their surrounding environment and prevailing conditions,’ Acting Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said.
‘If boating in an unfamiliar area, do your preparation, consult local charts and speak with the nearest Marine Rescue NSW unit before launching,’ he said.
Almost half of all responses across the state during January were reportedly related to engine issues.
Boaters can Log On 24/7 via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or on VHF Channel 16.
Logging On allows Marine Rescue NSW volunteers to monitor a vessel’s safe return, and if a boater becomes overdue, to initiate a search.
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