Three Canberra teenagers holidaying at a Moruya campsite were treated in hospital after nearly drowning in a notorious rip near the unpatrolled mouth of the Moruya River yesterday afternoon.
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One of them, a 15-year-old from Greenway, was winched to safety by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter after being kept afloat by a local surfer.
Lifesavers have praised the efforts of local surfers, who have played a vital part in saving people during ''very close calls'' over the past few days. Rescuers are also warning swimmers of the dangerous conditions at Moruya Heads, where a number of ''serious rescues'' have taken place this week.
A Wollongong family of three had a lucky escape on Monday after getting into trouble while kayaking at the mouth of the river.
In a separate incident yesterday Batemans Bay lifesavers assisted a struggling council lifeguard from Surf Beach during a rescue at North Batemans Bay.
Lifesavers on the far South Coast have been hit with an average of more than six rescues a day since Christmas and there are concerns the figure may increase as people flock to the beach for New Year's Eve celebrations.
There have been 45 incidents along the coastal stretch between Batemans Bay and Eden since the season started in September, as well as six fatalities.
Far South Coast director of Surf Lifesaving Andrew Edmunds said rescuers had been called out every day since Christmas to a total of 32 incidents in less than a week.
Canberra man James Goodrum died after being caught in a rip off the coast of Ulladulla on Christmas Eve.
Mr Edmunds said the region held the infamous record for most drowning cases in the state this season, with six out of the 16 fatalities occurring along the far South Coast.
''We've got the highest number of drownings in the state,'' he said. ''This time last year we had none.''
He said there were concerns that the number of rescues could increase over the weekend as holiday makers enjoyed New Year's Eve festivities, which often involved excessive amounts of alcohol.
''Alcohol and water is not a good mix,'' he said. ''Certainly swimming at night is not safe either.''
Mr Edmunds said up to 70 volunteers would be on patrol at seven locations tomorrow from 9am till 5pm and watercrafts off the coast until 6pm.
He said hours for both could be extended if the beaches were busy.
Carl Stewart from the Batemans Bay Volunteer Coastal Patrol said members would also be on duty over the weekend in case revellers took vessels out on the water after New Year's Eve drinks.
''But hopefully no one will be that stupid,'' he said.
The National Drowning Report stated that this period last year had seen the highest number of drowning cases, with 71 deaths in January.
Issued by Royal Life Saving Society earlier this year, the annual report said alcohol was also known to be a factor in 38 drowning cases throughout the year.
''Typically men aged 45 to 54 were the most likely to have consumed alcohol immediately prior to drowning,'' it said. ''Anyone drinking alcohol in, on or around the water puts themselves at a significantly higher risk of drowning.''
