Mass rescue after 150 people swept out to sea on Australia Day

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Surf Lifesavers rescued more than 300 people on NSW beaches on Australia Day in a packed out day for the nation’s beaches.

And, Surf Life Saving NSW are bracing for even more over the long weekend.

Teams responded to more than 50 major incidents, shark sightings and several mass rescues on January 26.

Surf Lifesavers rescued more than 300 people on NSW beaches on Australia Day in a packed out day for the nation’s beaches.

Across NSW beaches, there were a number of shark sightings, with beaches closed at Stanwell Park in the Illawarra, Cudgen Headland in the Tweed River shire and Brunswick Heads near Byron Bay.

At Austinmer beach, seven teenagers were saved by surfers and lifesavers in the Illawarra region.

At Bar Beach, Merimbula, up to 150 people were swept out to sea along with their flotilla of inflatables during the town’s annual Australia Day float.

Hundreds of people required rescuing after they overshot the Spencer Park exit, the point where the float traditionally ends.

They were brought back to safety.

Peak hour for beach rescues was between 2-3pm, with 108 people rescued in just an hour.

“Volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards and club callout teams and our Support Operations group did an incredible job saving so many lives and responding to incidents,” said Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce.

“Australia Day is always one of the busiest on our beaches and the remainder of the weekend is likely to be just as hectic as people enjoy the last of the summer holidays.

“To make our job easier we need people to swim at a patrolled location between the flags and to supervise children closely around the water.”

And for those partying and hoping to add watersports to the mix, he said: “lay off the alcohol if you’re at the beach or boating.

“Please wear a lifejacket if fishing from rocks or vessels.”

The drowning death toll currently sits at 11 since the start of summer.

Surf Life Saving shared a number of beach safety tips to look after your friends and family this summer:

• Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website
• Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
• Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water
• Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
• In an emergency, dial Triple Zero
• For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App.