Surf Life Saving Illawarra crews will now be able to respond to water rescues more efficiently thanks to new equipment that arrived just in time for the busy summer holidays.
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The state government has given the organisation - which covers 17 beaches and is the second largest in the state - a new duty officer vehicle and rescue water craft.
The vehicles will be located at the southern and northern ends of the Illawarra.
Duty officer Anthony Turner said they could now respond to incidents in the southern area more quickly.
He said the duty officers would not have to fight through traffic, especially on busy public holidays, to get from the northern end to down south.
"The vehicle enables duty officers, who are on call 24 hours, seven days a week, to respond to emergency incidents during surf patrol hours and after hours at patrolled and unpatrolled locations," Mr Turner said.
The additional rescue water craft brings the fleet of jetskis to five, enhancing the support operations crews' rescue capabilities and response times to emergency incidents.
Mr Turner said the jetskis allowed volunteers to easily keep an eye on unpatrolled beaches
He said the vehicles came kitted out with dye packs, lights and all communications equipment for liaising with emergency services.
From Saturday, volunteer lifesavers at many beaches, over the peak holiday period, will be patrolling from 10am to 3pm in addition to council lifeguards, who are on duty.
Lifesavers will be on beaches between 9am and 6pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Swimmers are urged to always swim between the flags and only at patrolled beaches.
They should not go into the water alone nor whilst intoxicated or on drugs.
Swimmers are also reminded to assess beach conditions before going in and to not swim beyond their capabilities.
Beachgoers should also keep protected from the sun, take rubbish with them and can not smoke within 50 metres of the flags.