Boaties told: Get everything shipshape for spring

Plenty of fuel, a well-maintained vessel, proper safety gear and logging on to the Marine Rescue NSW app are key to boating enthusiasts staying safe on the water, a top maritime official has warned.

With the spring boating season here, it’s crucial that boating enthusiasts get their equipment in order, Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews says.

“As the weather warms up, more people will be getting their boats ready.

“And every year we see the same issues: people often assume the fuel in the vessel is still going to be good, and they don't realise their flares might be expired or their battery might not be running effectively,” he says.

“There are simple things boaters can do to make themselves safer. We always recommend they service their boat before they launch it; they check their batteries and engines; inspect all their safety equipment and make sure that their life jackets are in good condition before they head out. 

“With respect to fuel, we always have this rule – it’s called the rule of thirds. We say that you should have a third of the fuel for the trip out, a third for your trip home, and a third in reserve.”

Todd says that because boating conditions can change – “weather can worsen, currents can change” – boats may use more fuel on the way back to shore “so it's always good to have some in reserve”. 

“In the Illawarra, the weather can change rapidly, so it's always important to check the forecast before you go and monitor conditions while you're out on the water as well. 

“And obviously for us, wear your life jacket. A life jacket can only save your life if you're actually wearing it.”

Todd says that advice also applies to rock fishermen who “most definitely should be wearing a life jacket”. 

“We see a lot of incidents down in the Illawarra and also particularly around Port Kembla there, right near Hill 60, a lot of rock fishermen around that area. And unfortunately, on occasion, they do get swept in. 

“It's a very dangerous sport.

“Between us [Marine Rescue NSW] and surf life saving together, we do a lot of rock fishermen rescues each year.”

Todd encourages people to download the Marine Rescue NSW app and to read the boating safety guidelines on the Marine Rescue NSW website (www.marinerescuensw.com.au).

“With respect to our app, we encourage boaters to log on with Marine Rescue before every trip. It's basically free and it's simple and it can make the difference if something goes wrong. 

“You can log on with our app via calling us on a VHF Channel 16 or you can log on via the app itself. It tells us where you're going, how many people you've got on board and when we expect you to return. 

“And when you get back, you should just log off. We will contact you if you haven't logged off, and we'll check that you're back safe, and, if not, we can then begin the process for locating you, and if necessary, send out a party to search for you if you're in trouble. 

“So it's really important that people log on. It's a free service we offer, and, at the end of the day, it can save you an enormous amount of time if things go bad, and if it is in an emergency situation.”

It’s crucial that boaters also ensure their boating licence, fishing licence and vessel registration are all up to date, Todd says. 

“You shouldn't be on the waterways if you're not appropriately licensed. There's particular rules around that. So always make sure you’re licensed, and always make sure you carry the appropriate safety equipment.

“When you do get in trouble, you need your safety equipment. You need your life jacket on and you need your vessel in good working order. If people can prepare before they head out, there's less chance of an incident happening. 

“And that's basically what we want. At the end of the day, the best rescue is the one that never has to happen. 

“Unfortunately, we know that only probably about 10 per cent of the people that we rescue log on with Marine Rescue. So we encourage people to log on because it can save time for everybody involved. 

“And it really is a safety enhancement for everybody out there if they log on with Marine Rescue.”

Todd joined Marine Rescue NSW in 2018 as chief financial officer and company secretary after a career in finance in Australia and overseas. He was appointed to the deputy commissioner corporate services role in September 2021 and has served as acting commissioner from September 2025 to his official start as commissioner March 2 this year.

He says upcoming plans for Marine Rescue NSW are “exciting”.

“In the next 12 months, we're looking forward to opening up a refurbished base down at Jervis Bay at Huskisson. 

“We've also got a brand new rescue base for our Shoalhaven unit; we’re replacing the old pilot house with a brand-new state-of-the-art rescue facility for our Shoalhaven members. 

“And we've also got various new vessels that will be delivered throughout the next 12 months. Recently, we've delivered a new vessel to Port Kembla – PK 20. It's the first of its kind actually in our fleet.

“It’s a Sentinel vessel. It's a really fast response rescue based at Lake Illawarra, and designed specifically to operate in the lake, with the shallow and challenging conditions there.

“So for us, it's really more about doing the same, continue on with the lifesaving work that we do. We do about 4500 rescues per year across the state, bringing over 10,000 people home safely back to shore each year.

“It's an average of 12 a day across the state. In winter, the numbers are a bit lower, and sometimes we're doing 30 to 40 rescues a day at peak times in summer, which is pretty significant.” 

Todd, born in Helensburgh and living in Cronulla near Marine Rescue NSW headquarters, has served for many years alongside his sons in Helensburgh Stanwell Park Surf Club and he has for a long time recognised the crucial importance of volunteers.

“From my perspective, it's all about the wonderful volunteers that Marine Rescue NSW has. 

“We've got 120 volunteers at Port Kembla and Shellharbour and we can't do what we do without them.”