A free Life Jacket Library to help prevent more drownings along Sydney’s dangerous coastline has been launched in Maroubra, after 24 rock fishing deaths in over 25 years.
The new Life Jacket Library began operating in May through a partnership between Surf Life Saving NSW, Randwick City Council and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The program allows fishers to borrow life jackets for free from the Des Renford Leisure Centre in Maroubra before heading to nearby rock platforms at Little Bay, Malabar and La Perouse. Staff members at the Des Renford Leisure Centre also help visitors fit life jackets correctly before they head to nearby fishing areas.
Free Borrow-and-Return System Set Up Near Fishing Hotspots
The Life Jacket Library operates through a simple check-in and return process during leisure centre opening hours. Visitors scan a QR code before borrowing a jacket, with the system also providing safety advice about fitting life jackets correctly, reading swell conditions and preparing for emergencies.
The initiative was funded through the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s rock fishing safety program, which supports community projects aimed at reducing preventable drownings.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the program was designed to remove barriers that stop people from using basic safety equipment. He noted that many fishers, including visitors and newcomers, either do not own life jackets or underestimate the risks involved along the coastline.
Under NSW rock fishing laws, people fishing from declared rock platforms are legally required to wear life jackets. Fines can apply to those who fail to comply.
Deadly Swells Continue to Claim Lives Along Sydney’s Coast
Rock fishing remains one of the most dangerous recreational activities in Australia, especially along the NSW coastline, where unpredictable waves, slippery rock shelves and sudden changes in swell conditions have contributed to repeated drownings.
Data from Surf Life Saving Australia and the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report shows coastal drownings linked to rock platforms continue to affect communities across the state each year. Surf Life Saving NSW reported 10 rock fishing and rock platform-related drownings between July 2024 and June 2025. Another 10 deaths had already been recorded during the current 2025-26 season.
The Randwick local government area has remained one of the country’s highest-risk regions for rock fishing deaths because of its exposed coastline and heavily used fishing spots.
Little Bay AI Cameras Added to Broader Safety Push
Less than 10 minutes from Maroubra, another coastal safety project is already being tested at Little Bay, where Surf Life Saving NSW has introduced AI-assisted cameras near a dangerous rock platform.
The technology is being used to improve emergency response times and monitor activity in areas known for rough surf and sudden wave surges. The trial forms part of a wider safety campaign that includes community education sessions, multilingual outreach programs and partnerships with local councils.
Research from Beach Safety Hub and Royal Life Saving Australia has repeatedly shown that wearing a life jacket can significantly improve survival chances during rock fishing accidents, especially when people are swept into open water.
Safety Efforts Aim to Prevent More Coastal Tragedies
Authorities hope easier access to safety gear will encourage more people to wear life jackets before entering dangerous rock platforms around Maroubra and surrounding beaches.
Community groups involved in the project say the goal is simple: helping more fishers return home safely after a day by the water.
Published 25-May-2026
