!!!January 25, 2024
Locally owned and independent
The Northern Rivers Times
NEWS 21
Boat rescues up 18 per cent as more people flock to waterways Marine Rescue NSW has completed its busiest year on record with 4,786 search and rescue missions across the state in 2023, as favourable weather lures boaters onto waterways. All six regions with Marine Rescue NSW units had a record number of rescues in 2023, including the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter/ Central Coast, Greater Sydney, Illawarra and Monaro. Surpassing last year’s record figure, the volunteer water rescue organisation safely returned 10,645 people to shore in an 18 per cent increase in rescue missions across the state’s coastal and inland waterways. Lake Macquarie was the busiest area for rescue missions across NSW, while a quarter of the Botany Port Hacking unit’s 400 missions were emergency responses. The Botany Port Hacking unit covers a challenging area including Botany Bay, Georges River, Port Hacking and 30 nautical miles offshore where a large volume of traffic and variable conditions can lead to boaters and paddlers needing assistance. In its first Budget, the Minns Labor Government made a record $73 million commitment to support the vital work of Marine Rescue NSW and its 3,300 volunteers.
The significant fouryear investment will bolster Marine Rescue NSW’s fleet, including new multi-purpose and rescue vessels and the refurbishment of other rescue vessels, as well
to follow these steps to stay safe this boating season: • Log On and Off with Marine Rescue via VHF Channel 16 or use the free Marine Rescue NSW app available
• Always check conditions and safety equipment. Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said: “The dedicated volunteers across the
wet weather brought on by La Nina, as well as Covid lockdowns, more people are now taking the opportunity to get out on our beautiful waterways and enjoy the warmer weather.” “I encourage people to enjoy our coastline and inland waterways safely, and by logging on and off with Marine Rescue our volunteers will be in a position to respond if things don’t go to plan.” “It is pleasing to see that over the past 12 months there has been an increase of 16,500 boaters using Marine Rescue’s free Log On service with more than 80,000 trips logged last
as fund new bases at Stockton and Middle Harbour. More than 80,000 trips were logged with Marine Rescue NSW in 2023, almost 16,500 more than the previous year. Marine Rescue NSW radio operators had a busy 2023, managing 258,742 radio calls – or a call every two minutes – with a large number managed by the 24/7 Marine Rescue NSW State Communications Centre at Belrose. More than half the incidents in 2023 could potentially have been avoided with better boat maintenance, with 57 per cent of calls for mechanical, battery or fuel issues. Boat users are urged
for iOS and Android devices. • Make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket. • Make sure your vessel’s engine and battery are working. • Make sure you have enough fuel and some in reserve.
46 Marine Rescue units answer calls night and day to keep boaters safe on our waterways, and I commend them on everything they have done over the busiest year for Marine Rescue yet.” “After boating seasons have been impacted by
year.” Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott said: “Almost a third of incidents last year were emergencies such as capsized boats, missing people, groundings and fires on vessels.” “Response times
for these incidents is reduced dramatically if a boater is logged on with Marine Rescue NSW.” “We ask all boaters to ensure that they check their vessel’s engine and battery every time they plan to head out on the water.” “Mechanical and fuel issues can quickly become life-threatening emergencies on the water, so make sure you have enough fuel and some in reserve.” Breakdown of rescues across regions: Northern Rivers 2023 stats – 353 search & rescue missions including 213 emergency responses with 733 people safely returned to shore (across all 7 Northern Rivers units – Point Danger, Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba & Wooli) • Locations of highest demand: • Point Danger: 131 missions including 70 emergencies with 310 people safely returned to shore. • Ballina: 76 missions including 42 emergencies with 133 people safely returned to shore. • Iluka Yamba: 60 missions including 26 emergencies with 111 people safely returned to shore. • In 2023, four of the seven Northern Rivers units set new search and rescue mission records, these were Brunswick, Cape Byron, Ballina and Evans Head.
Culture Camp in Byron Shire wins $20,000 in program funding; Round 2 now open for applications The Returning Indigenous Corporation in Upper Main Arm will share in $500,000 to celebrate Aboriginal culture in NSW, under the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Affairs Cultural Grants Program. The program supports Aboriginal communities to strengthen, protect and maintain traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture and support cultural events and activities. These projects
make-up the first round of the $1-million program which aims to further strengthen and celebrate Aboriginal culture locally across the State. Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the $20,000 in funding for this project will be used to run a Culture Camp, an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to gather together on Country for five days of deep cultural exchange and connection.
Indigenous participants attend free-of-charge through the Corporation’s scholarship program and First Nations facilitators are employed to run arts, movement, culture, wellbeing and nature workshops, Ms Saffin said. “The camp is a very practical way of celebrating and recognising the world’s oldest living culture.” Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the funded
projects also contribute to targets of the National Closing the Gap agreement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing and maintain cultural connection to country. “This initiative is one of almost 30 projects across the state which has been funded to provide Aboriginal people and communities the opportunity to join together in the strength of
their culture,” The funded projects are designed to boost connection to culture and community for Aboriginal people across NSW and give the wider community a greater appreciation for the strength and beauty of Aboriginal culture. The grants also provide opportunities for leadership and healing, teaching and learning. Round 2 of the program opened on Monday 15 January 2024, providing
a further $500,000 for eligible projects being delivered in the second half of 2024. Applications close on 26 Feburary 2024. For more detail on the Program and a list of recipients, see the QR Code bellow.
