Busy August for Illawarra Marine Rescue NSW crews

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have recorded their busiest August on record, capping an exceptionally busy winter as crews prepare for a surge in boating activity during the spring school holidays.

Volunteers across the state completed 273 search and rescue missions in August, including 97 emergency responses, safely returning 538 people to shore.

The record August surpassed the previous high of 267 missions recorded in August 2022.

There were 22 search and rescue missions including 12 emergency responses with 37 people safely returned to shore across all 7 Illawarra units, that include crews from Port Kembla and Shellharbour.