It's been a horror start to the summer break on the water, with lifesavers appealing to holidaymakers to take greater care at the coast after a string of drownings.
Emergency services and surf lifesavers responded to multiple drownings over the weekend, including a five-year-old in the Georges River in NSW and a 23-year-old student at nearby Maroubra.
Fishermen were not immune to the dangers, with a cray fisherman drowning in South Australia and another swept to his death from rocks near Albany in Western Australia.
A search continues for yet another fisherman, feared drowned, after he was pulled into the sea on the NSW south coast.
Surf Life Saving Australia coastal safety manager Anthony Bradstreet said these incidents were a reminder of the risks ever present on the coastline.
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"Whatever activity you participate in on our coastline these holidays, we are urging people to prepare appropriately and not take any unnecessary risks," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
For fishermen, wearing a lifejacket was absolutely essential.
Mr Bradstreet said two men rescued alive 13 kilometres off the NSW coast at the weekend survived the night because they were wearing lifejackets.
"They will be spending Christmas with their families," he said.
Surf lifesavers rescued 145 people over the weekend.
