Emergency Response Beacons (ERB's) at Port Macquarie

An Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) is a solar-powered emergency call station installed at high-risk or unpatrolled beaches. It allows members of the public to report an incident directly to the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) - helping to initiate a rapid response when every second counts.

An Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) is a solar-powered emergency call station installed at high-risk or unpatrolled beaches. It allows members of the public to report an incident directly to the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) - helping to initiate a rapid response when every second counts.

How it works

• Anyone can use the ERB to report an emergency in or around the water.
• Once activated, the ERB connects the caller with a trained SOC operator via voice call.
• The beacon is also fitted with a video feed to give operators real-time situational awareness

The SOC operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can coordinate an appropriate response, including:

• Jet skis or inflatable rescue boats
• Volunteer call-out teams from local surf clubs
• Lifeguards, drones, or helicopter support

These ERBs are part of a state-wide rollout by Surf Life Saving NSW to improve emergency response times at coastal ‘black spot’ locations - especially where beaches are unpatrolled, or volunteer lifesavers are not available.