Marine Rescue NSW volunteer crews performed 338 search and rescue missions across the state during October, including 93 emergency responses, safely returning 671 people to shore.
Volunteer radio operators also managed 17,000 radio calls, including 13 MAYDAYs and two Pan Pans, while keeping watch over more than 20,000 people on board vessels logged on with the Service.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said demand for assistance remained steady throughout October, with varied weather conditions across the state.
Commissioner Andrews praised boaters for making sensible decisions and staying off the water when conditions were unfavourable.
"The majority of boaters clearly checked and monitored the weather and conditions, choosing not to put themselves or others at risk for a day on the water when conditions were unsuitable.
"Rescue demand was lower on days when conditions were unfavourable, which is extremely pleasing. It is not worth risking your life for a catch or a day on the water.
"Making the decision to stay ashore when conditions deteriorate is one of the most important safety decisions a skipper can make."
While boaters are increasingly demonstrating an understanding of weather-related risks, Commissioner Andrews said vessel maintenance remained an important area of concern.
"Just over half of all our mission responses last month involved engine or battery failure.
"We would like to see this number reduced. While some mechanical failures are unavoidable, others can be prevented through regular maintenance and routine checks of batteries and engines.
"It doesn't take much for an unsuspected battery problem to leave a vessel stranded and quickly turn into a dangerous, potentially life-threatening emergency."
A recent rescue off Swansea Heads highlighted the risks of an apparently straightforward mechanical failure.
Two anglers on board a 5.1-metre runabout called for assistance after their battery failed while they were anchored off Moon Island.
As Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers made their way to the disabled vessel, its anchor rope snapped in choppy conditions, leaving the anglers paddling to avoid being blown towards nearby rocks.
The disabled vessel was in serious danger of being swept onto a bommie, approximately 30 metres away, and the skipper reported the pair were beginning to fatigue.
Marine Rescue NSW vessel Lake Macquarie 31 arrived in time to secure the disabled vessel, check on the anglers' welfare and safely return them and their boat to Pelican boat ramp.
Commissioner Andrews said the incident was a timely reminder that even a seemingly minor mechanical problem could quickly escalate when conditions changed.
"This is exactly why we urge boaters to make sure their vessel, particularly its engine and battery, is in good working order before heading out.
"The two anglers found themselves in a potentially life-threatening situation through what initially appeared to be a battery problem. When their anchor rope snapped, they were suddenly at risk of being swept onto rocks.
"Our Lake Macquarie volunteers responded swiftly and their actions ensured both people and their vessel were safely returned to shore.
"Boaters should never underestimate how quickly circumstances can change on the water."
Commissioner Andrews also reminded skippers to make logging on with Marine Rescue NSW part of their pre-launch routine.
"When boaters log on with Marine Rescue NSW, they provide details of their trip and expected return time. If they fail to return as planned, our radio operators can escalate efforts to locate them.
"Boaters can log on using the free Marine Rescue NSW app or via VHF channel 16.
"We cannot stress enough that layers of safety save lives. Carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB), having an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) on board, wearing a lifejacket and logging on with Marine Rescue NSW all improve your chances of being found and rescued if something goes wrong.
"These simple precautions also give loved ones peace of mind, knowing important steps have been taken to help keep everyone safe on the water."
Greater Sydney was the busiest region in the state with crews completing 152 missions during October. Volunteers on Sydney Harbour also responded to a vessel fire at Double Bay with crews monitoring the exclusion zone.
October 2026 by the numbers:
• 338 search and rescue missions
• 93 emergency responses
• 671 people safely returned to shore
• 16,939 radio calls managed
• 20,196 people on board Logged On vessels
• 4,783 Log Ons
Breakdown of October 2026 search and rescue missions by region
NORTHERN RIVERS: 20 search & rescue missions including 9 emergency responses with 42 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Northern Rivers units - Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba & Wooli.
Location of highest demand: Point Danger 11, Iluka Yamba 5, Ballina 2
MID NORTH COAST: 17 search & rescue missions including 8 emergency responses with 26 people safely returned to shore across all 9 Mid North Coast units - Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Trial Bay, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Crowdy Harrington & Forster Tuncurry.
Locations of highest demand: Coffs Harbour 5, Forster Tuncurry 4, Crowdy Harrington 3, Camden Haven 3
HUNTER CENTRAL COAST: 102 search & rescue missions including 20 emergency responses with 176 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Hunter Central Coast units - Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes, Brisbane Water & Terrigal.
Locations of highest demand: Lake Macquarie 47, Brisbane Water 23, Port Stephens 21
GREATER SYDNEY: 152 search & rescue missions including 30 emergency responses with 347 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Greater Sydney units - Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Broken Bay, Sydney - State Communications Centre, Port Jackson, Middle Harbour & Botany Port Hacking.
Locations of highest demand: Sydney State Communications Centre 50, Botany Port Hacking 40, Port Jackson 22
ILLAWARRA: 28 search & rescue missions including 11 emergency responses with 49 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units - Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla & Kioloa.
Locations of highest demand: Shoalhaven 6, Jervis Bay 6, Port Kembla 6
MONARO: 19 search & rescue missions including 15 emergency responses with 31 people safely returned to shore across all 8 Monaro units - Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Alpine Lakes & Moama.
Locations of highest demand: Batemans Bay 11, Narooma 2
