Marine Rescue volunteers in centre of New Year’s Eve celebrations
Ten vessels and more than 50 volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW will again be helping keep revellers on Sydney Harbour safe to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks and festivities.
Marine Rescue vessels will be on the harbour to help maintain safety exclusion zones for spectator craft and respond to incidents and emergencies.
Volunteers from the Middle Harbour, Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Port Jackson, Botany Port Hacking and Broken Bay units in Sydney and the Norah Head unit from the Central Coast will take part.
Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey said volunteers from all 44 MRNSW units were spending summer helping boaters stay safe during the busiest few weeks of the year on the State’s waterways, with many supporting regional New Year celebrations as well.
“New Year’s Eve is always a huge night on Sydney Harbour as thousands of boaters cram on to the water for a front row view of the city’s fireworks spectacular, which is enjoyed by television audiences around the globe,” he said.
“Our crews will be helping enforce the boating exclusion zones between Balls Head west of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bradleys Head to the east to keep boaters a safe distance from the fireworks barges and enable the safe passage of the Harbour of Light Parade and emergency and working vessels.”
The volunteers will be working alongside NSW Maritime, the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, Sydney Ports Authority and Sydney Ferries, all helping to maintain order and safety throughout the day and night, especially as boaters rush for home once the exclusion zones are collapsed after the midnight fireworks.
“The combination of having so many boats on the water, at night, in a party atmosphere, makes adherence to the key boating safety messages and skipper responsibility vital,” Deputy Commissioner Storey said.
“Wear a lifejacket, don’t drink and drive, abide by the exclusion zones and Log On and Log Off with Marine Rescue using your VHF radio or the MarineRescue App.
“Please follow any directions provided by our crews, Maritime or Police, which will be aimed at keeping you and your surrounding boaters safe and out of harm’s way.”
Senior MRNSW personnel also will be based in the Sydney Harbour Operations Centre at NSW Maritime and the Marine Area Command base throughout the day and night.