According to contracted Lifeguarding Services Australia, lifeguards rescued 72 people from the water last season and performed 6000 preventative actions.

Lifeguarding Services Australia submitted a report to Eurobodalla Shire Council’s combined committee meeting last month as part of its three-year contract.

Last summer was the service’s first season and, according to the report, more than 181,000 people visited Lifeguarding Services Australia patrolled beaches, including Surf Beach, Malua Bay, Broulee, Moruya, Tuross Head, Dalmeny and Narooma last season.

Twenty two lifeguards were employed to patrol and lifeguards performed 72 rescues, almost 6000 preventative actions and treated 130 people with first aid.

Eleven lives were saved at Surf Beach, two at Malua Bay, 12 at Broulee, one at Moruya and 21 at Tuross Head.

The main reason for these rescues was due to rips and undertows.

Interestingly, shark alarms were only made at Malua Bay (with two) and Surf Beach (one) during the season.

Surf Beach recorded the most marine stings, with 28, Malua Bay recorded 12, Moruya had five and Tuross Head had 19.

There was also a “major wound” recorded at Malua Bay and Surf Beach had a fracture victim during the season.

Council allocated a budget of $160,000 in its 2012-2016 Delivery Program to fund the service.

Council’s contract with Lifeguarding Services Australia is valid until January 2014.