MARINE Rescue NSW volunteers across the state have experienced their busiest September on record, completing 361 rescue missions and returning 782 people to shore last month.

Across the eight Hunter/Central Coast Units 111 rescues were completed, with 18 in Port Stephens.

Statewide, the previous busiest September for the service was in 2022 with 230 rescue missions.

Of last month’s 361 rescue missions, 103 were emergencies.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said the spike in rescue missions came after fewer calls for assistance from boaters in August.

“On the back of a recent run of good weather we’ve seen a large number of boaters on the state’s waterways and last month Marine Rescue NSW volunteers responded to their largest amount of rescues since April.

“On the back of a record year of rescues and assisting boaters in NSW, Marine Rescue has completed its busiest first quarter ever with rescues up 25 percent on the same period last year,” he said.