Purpose
To provide policy, procedure and best practice for the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) operations.
Policy
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) requires all RWC Operators to adhere to the established policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure safe and effective practices relating to RWC operations.
Procedure
Definitions
Rescue Water Craft (RWC) Units
RWC Support Operations must be owned and managed by Branches, Clubs are not permitted to have ownership or sole operation of an RWC.
RWCs are not to be used for night operations at any time.
An RWC is a personal water craft commonly known by brand names such as a wave runner or jet ski, operated by at least 1 qualified and proficient lifesaving personnel, that is primarily responsible for patrolling outside patrol flagged areas, with additional rescue capabilities.
RWC Service
The response area in which a RWC provides active patrolling (including roving) and emergency response capacity. There are multiple ‘RWC Services’ within a single branch, each with its own response area.
Additional RWC services may be deployed to an RWC service area in events such as an extended SAR, special event, carnival etc.
RWC Service Objective
To provide operational support to existing patrols and patrolling/emergency response capacity to non- patrolled areas/times.
Scope of Operation – Patrol Season/Patrol Days/Patrol Times
The minimum patrol season/hours for an RWC service shall be as agreed in the Lifesaving Service Agreement with each Branch.
A RWC service shall undertake rostered patrols on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays within the patrol season. A RWC service shall provide water safety for approved SLS events, e.g. surf carnivals.
Scope of Operation – After-hours Capacity
RWC services shall have the capacity to respond to after-hours/out-of-season emergencies within the scope of the Emergency Response System.
RWCs are not permitted to operate after Sunset or to be used for night operations at any time.
SurfCom/Call-signs
RWC units shall be issued with a call sign by SLSNSW and utilise radio callsigns and communicate with the SOC as per SLSNSW SOPs.
Reference
Branch Lifesaving Service Agreement