Surf Life Saving NSW's 2020 NSW Coastal Safety Report launched on Wednesday, also found there was an overall increase in coastal and ocean drowning deaths during the 2019/20 season.

Boating incidents comprised 31 percent of all fatalities on the NSW coastline - almost triple the 16-year average.

Forty-nine lives were lost on the NSW coastline in the 12 months from July 1 last year to June 30.

This represented a 14 percent increase on last year's figure and well above the 16-year average of 42 fatalities per year.

There were five coastal and ocean deaths in the Illawarra during this period.

Men continued to be overrepresented in coastal drownings - making up 88 percent of people who drowned.

Since July 1 this year there has been a further 17 coastal drownings in NSW waters.

Read more: A tragic end to near perfect day on Illawarra beaches

"The increase in coastal drowning fatalities last season is very concerning,: SLSNSW CEO Steven Pearce said. "The statistics in this report show that many people continue to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities along our beautiful coastline, but every life lost is one too many.

"The increase in boating fatalities highlights the need for boaters to check weather conditions before heading out and always wear a correctly fitted lifejacket when on the water."

SLSNSW president George Shales added despite the January bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic ending the patrol season four weeks early, more than 10 million beach visitations were recorded in NSW in the 12 months from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

"Surf lifesavers and lifeguards rescued 3,186 people, treated 12,110 people for injuries or medical complaints, and performed 749,646 preventative actions," Mr Shales said.

The report findings come just as surf lifesavers and lifeguards across the country are preparing for an influx of visitors to the beach during the holiday period.

Christmas Day traditionally sees many families heading to the coast and while beaches are expected to be inundated during the holidays the message from Surf Life Saving Australia is to swim only at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.

SLSA coastal safety general manager Shane Daw said "please swim at a patrolled beach and keep watch over your loved ones and mates".

"The safest way for all Australians to enjoy our coastline this summer is to find a patrolled beach and swim between the red and yellow flags," he said.

"Rip currents are the leading hazard across our coastline and can change shape and location quickly.

"On any given day, there are about 17,000 rips at beaches around Australia. Our job as surf lifesavers is about helping people identify the safest place to swim at our beaches.

"If you do find yourself at an unpatrolled location, STOP, LOOK and PLAN before entering the water."

Tragically, between 2004-2020 a total of 69 people have lost their lives attempting to save someone who got into trouble, more often than not it was a loved one.

Read more: Fiancée's grief: 'The god of the ocean took my man'

"We have seen this season the heartbreaking loss some families have experienced when loved ones have attempted to rescue their friends and families only to get in trouble themselves," Daw said.

Visit the Beachsafe website or download the App for information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations.

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