The CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW has praised the efforts of volunteers involved in two recent searches for missing swimmers at Port Macquarie.
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Steven Pearce described the past two weeks as ‘a very challenging time’.
That search has moved into the retrieval phase with surf life saving club members from across the Mid-North Coast volunteering to help with the land and sea search on Monday, December 18.
The search has included a variety of emergency service’s teams including police, SES, Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and surf clubs.
Flynns Beach remained closed to the public on Monday during a last ditch effort to find the missing boy. NSW Police confirmed the search was suspended at 5.30pm but will resume on Tuesday, December 19 and is likely to continue throughout this week.
On December 6, an 11 year old ACT boy was swept out to sea while swimming in shallow water. His brother tried desperately to search for the missing boy. The two were with their mother about 150 metres south of Watonga Rocks at Lighthouse Beach.
It has been, obviously, a very challenging time for the Port Macquarie community.
- Steven Pearce
Mr Pearce said the thoughts of the entire surf life saving community go out to the families affected by the tragedies.
“It has been, obviously, a very challenging time for the Port Macquarie community,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected.
“Surf Life Saving would like to acknowledge the significant commitment on behalf of all the volunteers who have invested numerous hours – some days – in these searches over the last couple of weeks.
“And they continue to do so.
“We are very much appreciative of their efforts and the community is really united behind those efforts.”
Those thoughts were echoed by president of the Mid-North Coast branch Rod McDonagh.
“This is a difficult time for all involved and it is encouraging to see the amount of assistance that has been provided,” he said.
“Thank you to Paul and Kim Rayner over the past two days, as well as all the volunteers.”
Mr Pearce said lifeguards and surf life savers will be out in force this summer, doing their best to keep everyone safe.
“We should take this opportunity to encourage everyone to swim at a patrolled beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags,” he said.
Surf Life Saving NSW says beach users can utilise the Beachsafe app which includes information on patrolled beaches, weather, patrol times and tides.
General beach safety tips include:
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags,
- Always check the Beachsafe app to find the nearest patrolled beach,
- Read the safety signs for information or ask a lifeguard or surf life saver for advice,
- Always swim with someone else and supervise children around 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, and
- In emergencies dial triple-0 police.