How do I close the patrol at the end of the day?

The closing steps for a flagged patrol area are:

1. Check the Lifesaving Service Agreement for whether extended times (beyond minimum hours) are needed because of patronage or conditions.
2. Tell SurfCom of the closure, or if extending operations, notify SurfCom 30 minutes beforehand.
3. Use the public announcer or similar to tell swimmers the patrol is closing and recommend they stop swimming for the day.
4. Use in-water lifesaving personnel to tell the public, and consider a roving patrol to adjacent areas.
5. Repeat the closure message and hazard warnings to remaining swimmers if required.
6. Keep delegated personnel watching the water, and keep dedicated rescue equipment on standby, while other equipment is packed up.
7. Prepare after-hours call-out response equipment (rescue-ready).
8. Do a final surveillance sweep of the surf area before packing up standby equipment and leaving.
9. Notify club, service or branch officers of issues such as equipment damage or fuel shortages.
10. Debrief the patrol team (required at the end of every patrol).

If patronage warrants and personnel are available, surveillance with access to rescue equipment should continue for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour after closing.

IRB: at the Patrol Captain's discretion, the IRB may leave the beach no earlier than 30 minutes before the minimum closing time to be washed and refuelled, provided the driver and crew stay in radio contact and present until the minimum closing time, and the IRB is kept rescue ready (for example attached to the SSV).

Source: SLSNSW Public Safety SOPs (September 2026), PSS 7.1 and PSS 7.4.