NSW Maritime, NSW Police Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW, and Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) have joined forces to highlight the needed to keep our waterways safe during the 2025-26 boatin season.
Climate forecasts are for a warm, wet spring and summer, which will bring plenty of great opportunities to enjoy our waterways, but also a higher risk of storms.
NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said this means it will be particularly important that before setting out people take the time to check weather forecasts and stay aware of changing conditions while on the water.
“We’re looking at another fantastic season on NSW waterways, and we want to make it the safest yet,” Mr Hutchings said.
“A cracking day on the water can quickly turn treacherous and stormy. Of the 16 deaths on NSW Waterways in the last 12 months only three were confirmed to be wearing lifejackets that were in good condition and properly fitted.”
“Over our pre-season safety blitz Operation Check the Decks last weekend people not having or wearing an appropriate life jacket again topped the list of offences statewide– a lifejacket is a simple, easy safety measure – but it can only save your life if you’re wearing it.”
Over the last 12 months NSW Maritime boating safety officers conducted around 46,000 vessel safety checks resulting in nearly 1,930 fines and over 5,230 official cautions.
Concerningly, people not carrying, not wearing, or not having properly serviced, or appropriate lifejackets remains the top offence in the state, representing 27 per cent of official actions.
Marine Area Command has issued more than 2700 legal actions between 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025. In 2024, Marine Rescue NSW crews across the state completed 4,735 search and rescue missions, including 1,364 emergency responses, safely returning 10,539 people to shore. Marine Rescue NSW radio operators kept watch over almost 285,000 people on board more than 76,000 logged on vessels.
“We are urging recreational boaters to take the safety of themselves and their passengers seriously as we move into the warmer months,” said SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce.
“Our Surf Rescue callout teams were activated to respond to almost 130 emergency incidents last year involving vessels and we assisted with the rescue of 29 people.”
All boaters are encouraged to Log On with Marine Rescue NSW before spending a day on the water. It is quick and easy to Log On via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16. It only takes a minute to protect a lifetime.