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New lifesaving technology - an Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) - was recently installed at the unpatrolled Shelly Beach in Manly for use in emergencies.

Shelly Beach was identified as a hotspot location for the new beacon after lifesavers responded to 49 major emergency callouts since 2008 and three coastal deaths or drowning of swimmers, snorkellers and divers in the last six years. The latest tragedy occurred in August, when a local dive instructor was retrieved from the water and CPR efforts were unsuccessful.

The devices are being installed at identified high risk locations which are unpatrolled by lifesavers or lifeguards. In an emergency, with the press of a button, a member of the public can be connected to the Surf Life Saving State Operations Centre (SOC) for immediate assistance.

The installation at Shelly Beach – a popular swim and dive location - is one of 20 new generation units which will be rolled out at key drowning hotspots this year, as part of the NSW Government’s $16 million commitment across four years to Surf Life Saving NSW.

Surf Life Saving NSW President, George Shales said the organisation is always looking for new ways to keep NSW beachgoers safer through enhanced technology and advised “the ERB will give visitors at unpatrolled beaches a link to lifesaving services during emergencies, where every second can mean the difference between life and death.”

The ERB uses the latest mobile technology to communicate between the SOC and the person on the beach and the SOC operator can quickly gather important information, issue instructions or provide reassurance in an emergency situation.

A camera fitted to the ERB can be remotely monitored by the SOC to provide operators with situational awareness of the incident. Surf Life Saving can then respond using a wide range of Support Operations assets, including jetskis, inflatable rescue boats, volunteer callout teams from surf clubs, lifeguards, or helicopter or drone services.

The upgrade in technology provided by the NSW Government’s enhanced rescue funding means the new units are solar-powered, can be permanently fixed in position and are easy to install in remote or difficult to access locations. Flashing lights on top of the beacon act as a visual indicator to lifesavers or members of the public that the unit has been activated.

Shales added “It is technology like this that I am proud we are rolling out, to ensure beach users across NSW are as safe as possible. This beacon will give Manly locals some extra peace of mind that help is available if they get into trouble.

“Unfortunately we can’t be everywhere at once, so these emergency beacons are about expanding our reach and making every effort to protect swimmers at more remote locations.”

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