Marine Rescue Ballina

07/06/2026

🌊 A huge thank you to Byron Bay Services Angling Club Inc. 🐟
Their generous donation to Marine Rescue Ballina! 🙌 Your support helps us continue to keep our waterways safe and assist those in need. We’re incredibly grateful for your commitment to our community and for making a difference in the lives of many. 💙🚤
Together, we’re ensuring that everyone can enjoy our beautiful waters with peace of mind. Thank you for being a true partner in safety and care! 👏🌟
President Peter Watts presenting a $2,500 cheque to Geoff Hutchinson on behalf of Marine Rescue Ballina.
, , , .

04/06/2026

🌊 Don’t forget the BBQ @ the Beach! 🌊
This Sunday morning, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Marine Rescue Tower on the north wall.
Your generous donations help us keep fuel in our vessels and continue Saving Lives on the Water.
The ‘SHIPWRECKED’ book will be on sale, and the author Geoff can personally sign it for you.
Come down for a delicious egg and bacon or a sausage sandwich and say hello to our amazing volunteers.
You might even be inspired to join our team and become a Marine Rescue volunteer yourself!
💙 We look forward to seeing you there! 💙

18/05/2026

📻 Please Tune In Tuesday Morning at 8.30am 📻

Join Lloyd as he chats with Marine Rescue Ballina Unit Commander Peter Hill.

Peter will share just how much the incredible support from our community has meant to his team, and to the families who have been touched by this difficult time.

Don’t miss this important and heartfelt conversation on Paradise FM 💙

18/05/2026

As we continue to mourn the loss of BA 30 crew members, Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, Marine Rescue Ballina would like to provide an update on plans for a Marine Rescue NSW Memorial.

The Memorial will be in Ballina in the weeks following the final funeral service. At this stage, we anticipate the memorial will take place in late June.

As both men are laid to rest in the coming weeks, the families have asked that their wishes regarding the funeral services be respected.

Frank Petsch’s funeral will be a private, family-focused service attended by invited guests only while the details for Bill Ewen’s service are still being finalised.

With the families’ wishes paramount, the community will have the opportunity to come together and pay their respects at a Memorial. Further details will be shared as soon as arrangements are finalised.

Thank you for your support, and your continued respect for the wishes of both families during this incredibly difficult time.

14/05/2026

This Sunday’s BBQ @ the Beach is an opportunity to support one another following the tragic loss of our fallen heroes Frank and Bill. It is not a memorial service but a chance to catch up with each other and support our incredible volunteers.
BBQ @ the Beach, Sunday 17th May 7.00am to 11.00am

02/05/2026

🫵 Don’t FORGET – 🌊Breakfast @ the Beach 🌊
🩷🎊Mother’s Day is next week we will celebrate it on Sunday 3rd. 🎊🩷
Join us this 🌤️ Sunday 🌤️ 3rd, from 7:00am to 11:00am, for our BBQ @ the Beach at the Marine Rescue Tower on the North Wall. 👮🎊
🩷🎊🙋With Mother’s Day approaching, we’re bringing the celebration forward, as there will be NO BBQ on the Sunday 10th. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat Mum early and enjoy a relaxed morning by the water.
Enjoy a freshly cooked egg and bacon roll or a classic sausage sandwich, all while supporting your local volunteers.
The book SHIPWRECKED will also be available at a special price of $44 (normally $55). Be sure to secure your signed copy from Geoff, the author.
All proceeds and donations go directly towards keeping our vessels fuelled and ready, helping us continue Saving Lives on the Water.
💙 We look forward to seeing you there. 💙
, ,

29/04/2026

29/04/2026

🙋🫵YOU’RE INVITED – Breakfast @ the Beach 👩‍❤️‍👩
Join us this Sunday 3rd, from 7:00am to 11:00am, for our BBQ @ the Beach at the Marine Rescue Tower on the North Wall. 👮👮‍♀️
🎊🩷With Mother’s Day approaching, we’re bringing the celebration forward, as there will be no BBQ on the Sunday 10th. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat Mum early and enjoy a relaxed morning by the water.
🥪Enjoy a freshly cooked egg and bacon roll or a classic sausage sandwich, all while supporting your local volunteers. 🥪
🌊📖🖍The book SHIPWRECKED will also be available at a special price of $44 (normally $55). Be sure to secure your signed copy from Geoff, the author. 🌊📖🖍
All proceeds and donations go directly towards keeping our vessels fuelled and ready, helping us continue Saving Lives on the Water.
💙 We look forward to seeing you there. 💙
, ,

25/04/2026

ANZAC Day remains one of the most significant commemorative occasions in Australia, and this year’s observance was marked with strong community spirit.
Members of Marine Rescue Ballina and SES Ballina gathered at first light to attend the Dawn Service, before assembling once again to take part in the ANZAC Day March. The occasion reflected both remembrance and local pride, with volunteers standing alongside the broader community in honour of those who served.
Among those present were three individuals recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community:
• 2025 Citizen of the Year: Ezekiel Knight (left)
• 2026 Citizen of the Year: Geoff Hutchinson (centre)
• 2026 Young Citizen of the Year: Tyler Causley-James (right)
Each has earned distinction through service and commitment, embodying the same spirit of dedication that ANZAC Day represents.
Despite uncertain conditions, the weather remained favourable, with the rain holding off for most of the event, allowing proceedings to take place with minimal disruption.

19/04/2026

https://youtu.be/9ZqBVGXQEdM
A trawler operating approximately 25 kilometres south-east of Evans Head issued an early morning distress call after suffering a serious battery failure that rendered the vessel without power. The crew requested urgent assistance to have four replacement batteries delivered.
At the request of the NSW Water Police, Marine Rescue NSW coordinated a response. The nearest capable unit was based at Evans Head; however, no qualified vessel master was immediately available. As a result, a master and two crew members were dispatched from Ballina to crew the Evans Head vessel.
Upon arrival, a local crew member, Wayne, had prepared rescue vessel EH31 for departure. The team loaded four batteries, each weighing approximately 40 kilograms each, before proceeding offshore to the stricken trawler.
The transfer of the batteries proved challenging. The trawler’s outrigger booms were deployed, and a full fishing net with associated ropes and gear was trailing astern, leaving no safe access at the rear. As a result, the transfer had to be conducted over the bow, requiring careful vessel handling and coordination in open sea conditions.
Following the successful delivery, the Marine Rescue crew remained on standby while the trawler’s crew attempted to restart the engine. After a short period, the skipper advised that the main engine could not be started and requested a tow to shallower water. At that time, the vessel was in approximately 80 metres of water and positioned near the edge of a shipping lane, increasing the urgency of the situation.
EH31 established a tow and commenced operations. Progress was slow due to the trawler’s estimated weight of 40 tonnes and the significant drag caused by the fishing net still in the water. Over the course of approximately five hours, the vessels gradually made their way into shallower water.
With daylight fading and depth reduced to around 44 metres, the trawler’s skipper determined it was safe to anchor. The tow line was released, and the trawler successfully deployed its anchor, bringing the operation to a controlled conclusion.
://www.facebook.com/MRNSW.EvansHead