NOTORIOUS rock fishing site Snapper Point will soon have an emergency response beacon capable of streaming live video back to Surf Life Saving NSW to help better coordinate rescues.
The isolated but popular fishing spot in Munmorah State Conservation Area is set to become one of the first locations in the state to feature the new infrastructure.
Surf Life Saving NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are finalising plans for installation, but the beacon is expected to be in place by the end of next month.
"We're installing 10 emergency response beacons across the state," Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce told the Newcastle Herald.
"Snapper Point is the next one to go in and it will be the first one ever installed in a National Park area.
"It's being installed there because of the spate of drownings that have occurred in that area."
Surf Life Saving NSW told the Newcastle Herald in January that nine people had lost their lives at Snapper Point in the past decade, majority after being washed into the sea while rock fishing.
A 62-year-old Eleebana man also died in July after losing his balance and falling from the rocks.
Response times for recuses in the area can potentially be delayed by vital minutes because of a lack of mobile phone reception on the waterside rock ledge.
But the new emergency beacon, which will be solar and wind-powered, will enable video and audio communication between those on the ledge and officials in Surfing Life Saving NSW headquarters in Sydney, who will be able to coordinate local resources as required.
A surveillance camera at the top of the pole will also allow officials to assess the conditions when necessary.
"It's a real cool piece of kit," Mr Pearce said. "It's the latest technology.
"It's a surveillance camera and there's a call point on there.
"Someone can hit the button, it activates the camera, the call goes straight to our emergency centre, our operators can pan the camera around and see what's going on, talk to the person, it automatically responds lifegaurds or lifesavers, and we can get a notification to the emergency services."
Mr Pearce said the beacon would likely be installed "within the next four weeks".
It's being installed there because of the spate of drownings that have occurred.
Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW
