Flags are coming down on Tuesday, April 25, signifying the end of the surf patrol season. The 2016/17 summer proved to be a bit of a mixed bag with rescue numbers declining but a number of fatalities recorded.
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Far South Coast director of lifesaving Andrew Edmunds said this year sadly saw six fatalities recorded in the region, which stretches from Durras to the Victorian border.
“Last season we only had two drownings, so it’s very sad to see this number rising,” he said.
“Some incidents this year were result of medical issues; however we’re keen to prevent as many as possible by encouraging people to swim at patrolled locations, and take precautions such as wearing a lifejacket while boating or fishing.”
Mr Edmunds said volunteer surf lifesavers are due for a well-earned rest and passed on his thanks to all members for their contributions.
“Our members have been patrolling diligently since the season commenced in September and responding to coastal emergencies, performing 102 rescues, 185 first aid treatments and over 1000 preventative actions,” he said.
“Our members were also well supported yet again by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and rescue jet skis at Broulee and Pambula and worked well with other emergency services including police, ambulance and marine rescue.”
Lifesavers from Batemans Bay, Broulee, Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Tathra, and Pambula responded to 37 emergencies including missing people, rock fishing incidents, boating accidents, fall from height, capsized kayaks and swimmers in trouble.
While volunteer patrols will not resume until September at selected beaches, an after-hours emergency callout capability remains in place at all clubs. If you witness any in-water emergency be sure to call 000 and ask for the police.
Surf Life Saving Season 2016/17 statistics
Rescues 102
Attendance 57,477
First aid 185
Incidents requiring ambulance 6
Preventative actions 1049
Emergency Callout incidents: 37
Fatalities:
October 31, 2016: Man in his 50s died while scuba diving at Kianinny Bay south of Tathra
November 20, 2016: 43 year old Moruya man died at Pedro Point while diving.
December 1, 2016: 54 year old male drowned at Garden Bay, near Malua Bay after failing to return from 4pm swim.
December 27, 2016: Elderly female deceased after fall from height at Malua Bay.
January 6, 2017: Elderly male deceased offshore believed to have heart attack in boat. Retrieved by Marine Rescue and Police.
Batemans Bay SLSC
Rescues 19
Attendance 4669
First aid 18
Incidents requiring ambulance 1
Preventative actions 487
Bermagui SLSC
Rescues 0
Attendance 4735
First aids 48
Incidents requiring ambulance 0
Preventative actions 70
Broulee Surfers SLSC
Rescues 58
Attendance 20,267
First Aids 19
Incidents requiring ambulance 3
Preventative actions 274
Moruya SLSC
Rescues 0
Attendance 714
First Aid 0
Incidents requiring ambulance 0
Preventative Actions 0
Narooma SLSC
Rescues 3
Attendance 5552
First aids 29
Incidents requiring ambulance 0
Preventions 69
Pambula SLSC
Rescues 17
Attendance 9854
First aids 61
Incidents requiring ambulance 1
Preventative actions 131
Tathra SLSC
Rescues 5
Attendance 11,686
First aids 10
Incidents requiring ambulance 1
Preventative actions 18
- Note these may increase as final logs are entered for the season by surf lifesaving clubs. Final stats should be available by June 30.
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