Volunteer lifesavers across the Central Coast will be better prepared for the coming summer season with the NSW Government to deliver a new jet ski and support vehicle to every Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) branch in the state.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the new assets will enhance the ability of lifesavers to respond to emergencies and save lives.
“The addition of a jet ski and fully kitted out support vehicle will boost the ability of our lifesavers to respond to emergencies in the water and help people when they get into trouble,” Crouch said.
“Jet skis are highly versatile because they are fast and agile, and I know this new equipment will be put to good use by our local lifesavers this summer.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the 11 jet skis and 4WD vehicles, representing a $1M investment, will give lifesavers the ability to get to people in trouble in the water quickly, and also allow them to reach those in treacherous locations like off rock platforms.
“Because of its speed and manoeuvrability, the jet ski is one of the most important tools used by Surf Life Saving NSW,” she said.
“Our 20,000 lifesavers will be better prepared than ever before and ready for a big summer, but safety is a shared responsibility so I’m respectfully asking beachgoers to follow advice, avoid unnecessary risks and swim between the flags.”
Over the past two years, jet skis have been used in 704 rescues and 271 emergency call outs and have spent nearly 23,000 hours on the water helping lifesavers keep swimmers, surfers and boaters safe.
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) President George Shales said the speed of response, agility and ability to get close to rock platforms make the jet skis a life-saving asset.
“Overall, Surf Life Saving NSW’s core mission is to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities,” he said.
“The delivery of a fleet of new rescue water craft to our branches helps us deliver on our mission.
In providing state-of-the-art support operations equipment and vessels to our branches, we increase our capacity to save lives and, indeed, build better communities.”
Patrolled beach locations, patrol times and live weather updates are available on the BeachSafe app or website.
Terry Collins