Marine Rescue Port Stephens

21/10/2026

Three of our finest from Marine Rescue Port Stephens were recognised for their dedication to volunteering in Emergency Services in the Hunter with nominations in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Murray, Brian, and Peter were presented with certificates for being Emergency Nominees, as members of Marine Rescue NSW, in the Hunter at the ceremony on 20 October.

We join the The Centre for Volunteering and Minister for Emergency Services in celebrating their work within our community. Our Unit is proud to have had you thanked at this day of appreciation.

Murray, Brian, and Peter have distinguished themselves within the organisation as Assessors/Trainers who travel between multiple Units to provide training and assessments when needed. Marine Rescue NSW is a Registered Training Organisation and the training and assessment of our boat crew and radio operators is core to our mission of saving lives on the water.

Congratulations to David Aselford, the Unit Commander at Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage, who was awarded the 2026 Hunter Emergency Volunteer of the Year at the ceremony!

20/10/2026

People aged 12 and over can participate in the General Boat Licence course at Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage that includes a practical component. The practical component costs $180, while theory-only training costs $145 for participants aged 12 to 15 and $165 for those aged 16 and over. The first fee-paying students took to the water on Saturday 17 October as part of a 12-month pilot program at the Lemon Tree Passage and Hawkesbury units.

The theory component is delivered during the first half of the day, with students undertaking the practical on-water component in the afternoon. Theory-only courses can accommodate up to 14 students, while the practical component will be limited to three students at a time to provide focused on-water instruction.

The practical training is conducted on board TX 10, a 4.6-metre open-cabin centre-console vessel powered by a 90-horsepower engine and equipped with Raymarine navigation equipment. The vessel has been repurposed for its new role after many years serving the boating community on the Murray River with Marine Rescue Moama. TX 10 has undergone minor modifications to accommodate up to three General Boat Licence students at a time.

Marine Rescue NSW has been delivering theory-based boat licence training for many years as an Authorised Training Provider under the Transport for NSW (Maritime) Boat Training Provider Scheme, with 178 members of the public completing general boat and personal watercraft licence courses last financial year. Never before have Marine Rescue NSW units offered the practical on-water component of the General Boat Licence.

Booking link: https://www.marinerescuensw.com.au/courses-licenses/course-calendar/

Marine Rescue NSW has taken its boating education program to the water for the first time, with Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage and Hawkesbury now delivering the practical on-water component of the General Boat Licence. The move means Marine Rescue NSW is, for the first time, able to offer the full...

19/10/2026

While most of us were still in bed our Radio Operators were welcoming the sun to Port Stephens!

Log on via VHF Ch 16 or (02) 4052 2300 when you go out on the water. Or try our free mobile app.

18/10/2026

Marine Rescue Port Stephens will have the main prize of our major yearly raffle on display at the Salamander Bay shops between 9am and 3pm on Thursday and Friday the 22nd and 23rd of October.

The raffle will be drawn on 26 January 2027. Tickets are are $10 each or 3 for $20 and help support saving lives on the water. You can also buy online: https://rafflelink.com.au/mrps26-27

This year first prize is a BD04 Golf Cart (value $13,000) with a Gal flat-bed transport trailer (value $2,700). Second prize is a Tahwalhi Stand Up Paddle Board (value $541).

Come down to the Centre to check out the buggy and say hello to our volunteers!

17/10/2026

Marine Rescue Port Stephens found it a rewarding day being able to assist the Wangi Queen Showboat in conjunction with Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage to ensure all passengers were returned safe to shore.

Another great outcome!

Thanks to the volunteer crews of both Units!

17/10/2026

Our Unit Commander, Howard, and our Community Engagement Officer, Frank, were down at Magnolia Cafe, d'Albora Marina, Nelson Bay on Friday 9 October as part of a speaker program for the Freedom Boat Club Port Stephens launch.

Their session was "Inside a Rescue: What Really Happens Behind the Scenes". They spoke on coordination, response, and safety messaging.

Other speakers included representatives from Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Stinker Clarke. Some of our other members went along to hear the talks. Howard and Frank found them in the crowd!

15/10/2026

The record August surpassed the previous high of 267 missions recorded in August 2022. Volunteers across the state completed 273 search and rescue missions in August, including 97 emergency responses, safely returning 538 people to shore.

During August, Marine Rescue NSW volunteer radio operators managed 19,731 calls, including four MAYDAYs and five PAN PANs, while keeping watch over 23,377 people aboard Logged On vessels.

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

Following the second busiest July in Marine Rescue NSW history, winter was the Service's second busiest on record, with crews completing 762 missions and safely returning 1,593 people to shore.

The busiest winter on record was 2023, when Marine Rescue NSW crews performed 806 missions.

Our crews were busy throughout winter responding to calls for assistance and undertaking training ahead of an expected busy spring and the beginning of the boating season in October.

During the two-week spring holiday break last year, our crews were in extremely high demand, performing 348 search and rescue missions and safely returning 825 people to shore. Old fuel, tired batteries and poorly maintained engines are common reasons boaters end up stranded or in trouble on the water.

HUNTER CENTRAL COAST: **REGION RECORD** 78 search & rescue missions including 21 emergency responses with 162 people safely returned to shore

August 2026 by the numbers:

- 273 search and rescue missions
- 97 emergency responses
- 538 people safely returned to shore
- 19,731 radio calls managed
- 23,377 people on board Logged On vessels
- 6,110 Log Ons
- 55 per cent of responses related to engine, battery and fuel issues

13/10/2026

A local community service to be aware of:

We are really pleased to be making a difference to lots of people in our community. Mobility aids are coming and going from our storage shed. More items have been donated recently.

This is a free service to anyone who has an injury or a disability...and this could not be possible without the wonderful people who have donated wheel chairs, walkers, shower and toilet chairs, walking sticks, bed rails...

Please let anyone in need know of our service.

13/10/2026

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who spent four days over the long weekend cooking up a storm at the Koori Knockout rugby competition at Raymond Terrace.

Our core super-team of Peter, Glenn, and Barry worked around the clock 2-5 October with the invaluable help of John T, Evie, David, Neil, Ray, Maria, John C, Frank, Sharon, Ben, and Gary. It was an incredible group effort!

Marine Rescue Port Stephens worked out of the NSW Police muster tent to prepare and serve lunch and dinner for emergency service workers.

The 2026 Koori Knockout was hosted at Kings Park Sporting Complex, Raymond Terrace, on the beautiful lands of the Worimi People. It is one of the longest-running and most significant Aboriginal sporting and cultural gatherings in Australia, with a proud history spanning more than five decades.

Established in 1971, the Knockout was created to bring Aboriginal communities together through rugby league — fostering connection, resilience, and cultural pride. What began as a grassroots competition has grown into a major annual event, uniting communities from across NSW and beyond.

This was its 54th year. Around 180 teams participated, with more than 45,000 people attending across the four days.

Marine Rescue Port Stephens was proud to support the community at this event and is grateful to all of the volunteers who gave their time to make it happen.