Video: SLSNSW
Surf Life Saving NSW, Media Release, 16 January 2026
Members of the public have rescued two swimmers struggling in a rip in the Illawarra on Monday night, with the help of a rescue tube affixed to the Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) located at the unpatrolled Coniston Beach, just south of WIN Stadium.
Just after 7pm on Monday 12 January, the SLSNSW State Operations Centre (SOC) was made aware of an incident unfolding in Wollongong when members of the public activated the ERB at Coniston Beach for two swimmers caught in a rip.
An ERB is an autonomous lifesaving device which connects a person at the beach with a SOC operator who can assess the level of risk and engage appropriate resources to respond to a lifesaving incident. They are stationed at 67 unpatrolled locations across the state.
Volunteers from nearby North Wollongong and Wollongong surf clubs were activated and assets including an Inflatable Rescue Boat prepared for launch, and as the off-duty lifesavers arrived on scene, several people were emerging from the water.
Bystanders had removed the rescue tube floatation device from the ERB and successfully rescued the two swimmers themselves.
Lifesavers administered first aid to the swimmers and rescuers back on shore.
“It was an extraordinary set of circumstances, that we had Wollongong surf club hosting a movie night with around 85-90 lifesavers at the club, while North Wollongong was holding a club meeting, so both responded extremely quickly,” Illawarra Duty Officer, Anthony Turner said.
“Our lifesaving crews arrived as they were getting back to the beach, three members of the public had read the signs on the ERB and taken the rescue tube to perform the rescue.
“It’s another incident in an incredible spate of near misses we’ve had down here. Since Wednesday volunteer lifesavers have responded to a record number of serious incidents, many out of hours, in the Illawarra, and we’re very fortunate that all of them have ended in a positive result.”
The NSW Government has funded the installation of ERBs at identified high-risk black spot locations across the NSW coastline, and the subsequent retrofitting of rescue tubes at each of the 67 locations. 30 are also fitted with shark bite trauma kits.
“We are extremely proud of the efforts of these members of the public who engaged with the Emergency Response Beacon and made the determination that they needed to help these swimmers,” SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
“It’s a fantastic example of the importance of these ERBs and by extension the rescue tubes that are located with the beacons – make no mistake, this rescue tube and ERB saved two lives.
“We are always telling people to avoid attempting to rescue someone if you don’t have some form of floatation as you put yourself in danger. The use of the tube in this case was text book and resulted in a great outcome all round.
“The response of volunteers out of hours was also exemplary – they were on scene extremely quickly, I understand the members of the public were impressed with how swiftly lifesavers arrived on scene and the first aid they delivered in tandem with NSW Ambulance.”
Beach safety tips
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
- Swim with someone else so you can look out for each other and always supervise children around the 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
- In an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000) – Police
- For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App.
