Branch Duty Officers
SLSFNC Branch Duty Officers
Surf Life Saving Far North Coast responds 24/7 to call-outs activated by the SLSNSW State Operations Centre. Predominantly all tasking is though Police Marine Area Command (MAC).
Our Team of Duty Officers are on call 24/7, 365 days of the year, not just during the surf lifesaving season. They are all volunteer’s who sometimes see things they wish they would not have to see, but that’s part of their jobs. People don’t recognise the work they do behind the scenes.
Throughout this 2022/2023 surf lifesaving season the Branch Duty Officers accumulated in excess of 3.900 collective volunteer hours in their role as duty officers (external to their other club, group and other surf lifesaving commitments).
Many of this Team are also still holding executive and other positions at both a Club and Branch level, undertaking regular club patrolling obligations, as well as support operations commitments involving RWC patrols / callouts and UAV patrolling obligations.
Being the main point of contact between Police, Surfcom and clubs, the FNC Branch Duty officers have elevated the process of search and rescue to be one of the most efficient in the State. With their proactive “can-do” attitude and level headedness, under sometimes extreme pressure, the FNC Branch Duty Officers are great ambassadors across all facets of Surf Lifesaving.
Further Information
Rescue Water Craft ( RWC )
The SLSFNC Branch Support Operations Group operates 6 Rescue Water Craft (RWC) at various locations across the Branch. With the responsibility of supporting the Clubs as well as patrolling un-patrolled locations and attending other emergency situations, the RWC Group operates out of six different locations within the Branch including;
- Tweed Support Ski 1 and 2 based at Cudgen Creek
- Brunswick Support Ski based at Brunswick Heads
- Ballina Support Ski from Jet Rescue Boat Base
- Clarence Support Ski Clarence River Yamba
- Richmond Support Ski (Peak Season Only)
The RWC Group, in addition to patrolling duties, provides water safety at surf carnivals and other aquatic events. The ability of the RWC to respond quickly, its heightened manoeuvrability in the surf and experienced operators make the RWC Group a vital part of the Support Operations Group within our Branch.
Further Information
UAV's in Surf Lifesaving
Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or ‘Drones’ are a new technology that provide greater coverage and surveillance of potential risks along our coastline.
- The surveillance of sharks and other marine life
- The identification of rip currents and other hazards
- The surveillance of swimmers and other beach users away from patrolled locations
- Support of search and rescue operations
Our Sponsors
