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An Emergency Response Beacon, or ERB, is an autonomous emergency response tool being rolled out at identified ‘black spot’ locations across the state to assist in lifesaving activities.

The ERB uses the latest mobile technology to, when engaged by a person on the beach, communicate between the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) and the person, allowing the SOC operator to quickly gather important information, issue instructions or provide reassurance in an emergency situation.

A camera fitted to the ERB can be remotely monitored by the SOC to provide operators with situational awareness of the incident. SLSNSW can then respond using a wide range of Support Operations assets, including jetskis, inflatable rescue boats, volunteer callout teams from surf clubs, lifeguards, or helicopter or drone services.

How Does It Work

ERBs have been and continue to be rolled out across locations where volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards do not patrol, extending the reach of lifesaving operations.

How do ERBs work

With the push of a button, members of the public can be connected to the SLSNSW State Operations Centre where a State Duty Officer will be on hand to gather important information, issue instructions or provide reassurance in an emergency situation. They can then decide on the most appropriate response to the emergency, calling on jetskis, inflatable rescue boats, volunteer callout teams from surf clubs, lifeguards, or helicopter or drone services.

Where Are They Located

There are currently 40 ERBs located along the NSW coastline. They are:

  • FNC – Belongil Beach

  • FNC – Brunswick Breakwall

  • FNC – Dreamtime

  • FNC – Kingscliff

  • FNC – Suffolk Park

  • FNC – Lennox Head

  • MNC – Shelly Beach

  • LNC – Boomerang Beach

  • LNC – Diamond Beach

  • LNC – The Ruins, Booti Booti NP

  • LNC – Tuncurry Beach

  • HUN – Fingal Spit

  • HUN – Fingal Island

  • CC – Budgewoi Beach

  • CC – Pearl Beach

  • CC – Snapper Point

  • CC – The Entrance Channel

  • CC – Bateau Bay

  • CC – Forresters Beach

  • SNB – North Palm Beach

  • SNB – Turimetta Beach
  • SNB – Shelly Beach, Manly

  • SYD – Gordons Bay

  • SYD – Mahon Pool

  • SYD – Blackwood

  • SYD – Greenhills Track 1

  • SYD – Greenhills Track 6

  • SYD – Potter Point

  • ILL – Coniston

  • ILL – Corrimal

  • ILL – Hill60

  • ILL – Lake Illawarra Entrance

  • ILL – Puckeys

  • ILL – Sharkies

  • ILL – Austinmer

  • ILL – Woonona

  • SC – Shellharbour South Beach

  • SC – Blowhole Kiama

  • SC – Kendall Beach

  • SC – South Bombo

 

Why Were These Locations Selected

The NSW Government’s Enhanced Rescue Funding package is funding the rollout of ERBs across the state. $16 million has been pledged over a four-year period to place new generation ERB units at identified drowning hotspots.

Read more about these hotspots in the 2022 SLSNSW Coastal Safety Report.

ERB News