Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters

30/10/2026

Lifesaver 21 undertaking a search along with NSW Police, Surf Life Saving NSW and Bondi Lifeguards.

Thanks Trent Falson for the footage.

29/10/2026

Always an adventure finding a fuel stop ⛽️.

Quality service at Warragamba Dam when doing a search in the nearby area.

Thanks team.

22/10/2026

How good 🚁.

Thanks Nadine Morton - Journalist

Meet Clay Allison, he's an air and rescue crewman who's saved countless lives.

22/10/2026

18/10/2026

Rock fishing safety

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is reminding all rock fishers to think safety before heading out.

On Saturday 17 October, the Moruya based Lifesaver 23 crew were called to North Durras after reports of a person in difficulty in the water. It was soon found a 25 female rock fishers and been washed into the water with a male going to her assistance.

Boaters passing by assisted and commenced CPR with the Lifesaver 23 crew winched in and worked with the bystanders to provide emergency life support. Treatment was continued until the Toll Ambulance Helicopter arrived and she was sadly pronounced deceased. The male treated and taken to hospital. Police, NSW Ambulance and Surf Life Saving NSW also responding.

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, General Manager, Shane Daw said ‘Rock fishing is known as a high risk activity.’

Surf Life Saving Australia regularly reports rock fishing in the top four activities being undertaken for coastal drowning deaths.

‘The importance of wearing a lifejacket when rock fishing cannot be overstated. Tragically most fatal rock fishing incidents we attend the person is not wearing a lifejacket’, said Mr Daw.

Both Surf Life Saving Australia and the NSW Government provide safety information for those undertaking rock fishing.

SLSA: https://beachsafe.org.au/surf-safety/rock-fishing
NSW Government: https://www.nsw.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/recreational-fishing/rock-fishing-safety-tips -useful-links

Simple tips include:
* Wear a lifejacket
* Watch first, fish later - observe swell/wave frequency for 20-30 minutes first
* Check weather and surf conditions
* Never turn you back to the ocean and watch for waves.
* Check with locals who know the area
* Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back
* Identify and exit area
* Don’t jump in after someone. Find a lifebuoy/angel ring or floatation device to throw to them and dial 000.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter extends is sympathies and thoughts to family and friends.

Stay safe. ⚠️

16/10/2026

A big shout-out to the Westpac teams at Mount Druitt, Paramatta and Randwick, who got behind the Choppers last week with plenty of colour, energy and community spirit.

Their support forms part of Westpac’s Rescue Helicopter Month, running all October, helping raise awareness and funds for the Service and the lifesaving work our crews do every day.

Since 1973 we have been doing what we do best, save lives and bring people home safely. Even better we have had Westpac with us every step of the way - legends. 🚁

13/10/2026

Next course: Monday 26 October. Book today.

The HUET course teaches you the skills you need to escape a submerged helicopter.

Once you have the techniques, they can easily be adapted to whatever aircraft you are operating. Every time you, your colleagues or passengers get into an aircraft, you’ll consider your exits, your harnesses, your escape plan, and after-ditching actions.

That’s what we teach you and our simulators allow you to develop your practical skills.

Come and learn from the crew that saves lives everyday!

Accredited training in partnership with .

Proceeds go back into the service which helps to keep us flying!

For more check the Training Courses page at —> https://lifesaver.org.au

13/10/2026

Beacon a Lifesaver

On Tuesday 12 October the Moruya Lifesaver 23 crew were tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA for a beacon alert approx. 25nm off the Bermagui coast (south coast NSW) general area.

The Lifesaver 23 crew responded and on arrival observed an orange sea dye marker area in the water and then the blue and white 5m fibreglass vessel overturned. The crew soon identified two persons. One in the water, wearing a PFD (lifejacket) and the second person on the hull of the overturned boat.

The crew quickly worked together to determine the best process to commence hoist operations to recover both persons from the water and the upturned boat without creating any further risk to both persons.

With pilot Natalee positioning the aircraft into position, aircrew John readied rescue crew Ned and provided final comms to Natalee as they positioned to hoist the first person. John, setting Ned down to secure the first person, checking there was no one else missing or any major injuries and letting them know what was about to happen and reassuring the second person he would be back shortly, to also bring him to safety.

With Natalee postioning the rescue helicopter, John then hoisted both Ned and the first person back into the aircraft, securing him before heading back down to secure his mate and then bring him back up from the water and sinking boat, to the safety of the aircraft.

Fortunately, both had no injuries other than being in a bit of shock and suffering mild hypothermia after being exposed for over 45 minutes. Some treatment for this commencing in the aircraft and also checking for any other injuries while in transit to Tathra football oval to waiting police and ambulance crews, where a handover was conducted.

A lucky day for these two and credit to both for having all the right equipment in case of an emergency – which on this case was required.

Heading out, remember to log on with Marine Rescue NSW and importantly check your boat, weather conditions, all your equipment and be prepared. While we hope you won’t need it, as these guys found out it is handy to have if you do.