Our work

Marine Rescue NSW is a New South Wales Emergency Service that provides a 24/7 emergency response to incidents in the State’s coastal waters up to 30NM offshore. We operate from 46 bases up and down the coast and on inland waterways from Point Danger in the north to Eden in the south.

Marine Rescue Middle Harbour operates rescue vessels on Sydney Harbour every weekend, every public holiday and every Wednesday throughout the year. During the summer boating season, we work in unison with our sister base on Sydney Harbour, Marine Rescue Port Jackson, to crew a vessel every day. In addition to this, we operate vessels on an ad hoc basis in support of special events, dedicated training exercises and on a callout basis 24/7 should we be required in an emergency.

Members of the boating community who find themselves in need of assistance can contact Marine Rescue NSW using VHF Channel 16, the MarineRescue App or by calling (02) 9450 2468 or Triple Zero (000).

Marine Rescue NSW radio bases operate 24/7 up and down the coast as well as from our State Communications Centre located in Belrose.

If you are in trouble on the water, then PLEASE CONTACT US! If you are venturing out on the water, then we encourage you to download the MarineRescue App or contact us on VHF Channel 16 and Log On. If you are logged on and fail to return when expected, then we will contact you and respond accordingly if you cannot be located.

What happens next

When Marine Rescue NSW is contacted for assistance, whether in an emergency (May Day or Pan Pan) or, for example, when you have mechanical issues, our response may include the deployment of a Marine Rescue vessel(s) or escalation to include other NSW emergency services including NSW Police Marine Area Command (i.e. Water Police), NSW Ambulance (including NSW Ambulance Aeromedical Services), Fire and Rescue NSW, Surf Lifesavers and others.

Marine Rescue Middle Harbour vessels typically operate within Sydney Harbour and offshore up to a distance of 30NM. We maintain at least one boat on the water more than 180 days a year which is available to respond as directed by Marine Rescue NSW and NSW Police Marine Area Command. In an emergency where we do not have a crew on the water, a callout system is in place.

Duty Watches

A regular Marine Rescue Middle Harbour rostered “Duty Watch” may include…

Assists

“Assists” is the term used in Marine Rescue NSW for our work helping the boating community. Much of our work is assisting vessels that have mechanical issues or have run out of fuel. Our vessels carry “jump start” kits for use if a flat battery is the cause of the issue but WE DO NOT PROVIDE FUEL. If a vessel has run out of fuel or has a mechanical issue, then at a minimum, we are usually able to tow your vessel to a safe haven, such as a Police or courtesy mooring. In many cases, we are also able to return your vessel to your boat ramp, berth or mooring of choice provided the Master of our vessel considers it safe and appropriate to do so.

Marine Rescue Middle Harbour does not undertake maritime salvage, however, our vessels do carry pumping equipment that can be deployed at the discretion of the Master of our vessel should they consider it safe and appropriate to do so.

Search and Rescue

Marine Rescue NSW is part of the multi-agency framework of maritime search and rescue organisations available for deployment in New South Wales.

Marine Rescue Middle Harbour vessels respond to May Day, Pan Pan and other distress calls up to a distance of 30NM offshore, coordinated by Marine Rescue NSW management, our State Communications Centre at Belrose and NSW Police Marine Area Command. If a May Day or Pan Pan call is received by Marine Rescue NSW, then the fastest, closest and most appropriate response will be executed that may include deployment of Marine Rescue NSW vessels.

In addition to dedicated rescue operations, Marine Rescue Middle Harbour vessels also participate in search and rescue operations to find missing vessels and missing persons.

Drills and Training

• Core competencies – Every “rated” member of Marine Rescue Middle Harbour holds a NSW Boat Licence, LROCP or SROCP radio licence, First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation qualifications, a Certificate I in Maritime Operations and has completed training in Firefighting and Sea Survival. There are many practical skills training elements required to be undertaken in order to achieve this initial “Crew” rating in Marine Rescue NSW as well as higher ratings of “Senior Crew”, “Leading Crew”, “Coxswain” and “Marine Rescue Master”. During our watches, training is undertaken by all team members, whether they are a “Trainee” seeking to become “Crew”, or a rated member seeking to hone their skills and/or advance.

• Marine Drills – All “rated” members of Marine Rescue NSW are required to completed a series of drills annually in order to demonstrate their competence should an emergency arise on our own vessels. Some of the many drills include “Person overboard”, “Collision or Grounding”, “Engine Room Fire” and “Master Incapacitated”.

• Training exercises – Marine Rescue Middle Harbour members participate in inter-unit and interagency training exercises in areas such as search and rescue, disaster recovery, etc.

• Specialised training – Marine Rescue Middle Harbour members have the opportunity to participate in specialised training in search and rescue coordination and management, etc.

• Flood rescue training – Marine Rescue Middle Harbour members have the opportunity to be trained in vessel handling and and other aspects of working in flood disasters in support of Marine Rescue NSW taking delivery of several multi-purpose vessels that can be deployed across the state in the event of a natural disaster.

Special Events

• New Years Eve – Marine Rescue Middle Harbour vessels assist in maintaining exclusion zones on Sydney Harbour during the New Years Eve fire works celebrations and also provide the boating community with assistance if required.

• Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race – Marine Rescue Middle Harbour vessels assist in maintaining the exclusion zone in Sydney Harbour for the start of the race on Boxing Day.

• Other events – Marine Rescue Middle Harbour provides vessels for other events on request including SailGP, various swimming races in Sydney Harbour, etc.

Tax Deductible Donations

Assistance provided by Marine Rescue NSW units does not require payment. Please never defer calling us if you are in trouble on the water. We are here to help if you require assistance of any kind and we do so gladly. It is our sole purpose. Please stay safe and contact us immediately if you have a problem!

That is the short answer!

The long answer is that Marine Rescue Middle Harbour is a volunteer organisation which receives generous, though partial funding from Government via Marine Rescue NSW. We are typically tasked with raising the funds to keep our own boats fuelled and maintained.

If you are able to, please consider making a tax deductible donation to Marine Rescue Middle Harbour via this website or when you are assisted by one of our vessels on the water.

It would be greatly appreciated.