Victorians, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, are being urged to brush up on their water safety skills as the weather warms up, with this weekend marking the official start of lifesaving patrols around the state.
With the declared El Niño weather pattern bringing warmer temperatures, authorities are preparing for a busy summer period with more people expected to hit the beaches to cool off.
From Saturday, November 11, thousands of dedicated Victorian lifesavers and lifeguards will be on duty along the state’s bay and coastal lifesaving clubs, providing full patrol services to safeguard the community at more than 60 locations.
Victorian beachgoers will also be supported from the air this season, with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service patrolling Victoria’s busy coastline between Wilsons Prom and Apollo Bay assisting in search and rescue operations and shark patrols.
As well as swimming between the flags, people are encouraged to never swim alone, familiarise themselves with the conditions and assess risks before entering the water.
Last summer, LSV lifesavers and lifeguards completed more than 256,000 patrol hours, performed 674 rescues, 11,000 first aids, 88 helicopter responses and more than 300,000 preventative actions to help keep beachgoers safe.
Despite these enormous efforts, 32 people tragically lost their lives in Victorian waters during last year’s patrol season.
“I urge anyone visiting Victoria’s beautiful waterways this summer to put their safety first – our volunteers work hard to protect everyone around water but they need everyone to do their bit too,” said Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes.
Life Saving patrols will run until April 25, 2024, at most locations across Victoria. To find your nearest patrolled location, visit beachsafe.org.au.
