Boaters have been urged to use the free MarineRescue App when they head out on the water this Easter, to ensure someone is looking out for them.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey said the App was a fast and efficient way connect with local Marine Rescue units.
''It's a great tool for boaters to indicate where they are heading, when they expect to return, how many people are on board and their contact details,'' Mr Storey said.
Mr Storey said logging on and logging off with MRNSW "saves lives on the water".
"A search can quickly be mounted for overdue boaters," he said.
Almost 9000 skippers have Logged On with the free App since the October Long Weekend, the start of the peak boating season in NSW. There were a total of 23,000 people on board those vessels.
''When boaters choose the App's safety tracking option, their position is updated every 30 minutes,'' said Mr Storey.
''It gives our professionally trained volunteers a last known position, if a search has to be organised.''
Since the October Long Weekend MRNSW volunteer crews have launched about 1700 rescue missions, of which more than 460 were life threatening emergencies.
- The MarineRescue App can be downloaded at the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google play (for Android devices).
