A new report shows 36 people drowned in NSW over the most recent summer prompting calls for organisations and the community to help reduce water fatalities.
The state government-commissioned Royal Life Saving NSW Summer Drowning Report for 2017/18 revealed 81 per cent of the deaths were males.
While drownings are often attributed to tourists the report found 58 per cent of people who lost their lives died within 100 kilometres of home.
About one-third of deaths were at beaches and another quarter were in rivers, creeks and streams.
Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant said applications for water safety grants were now open to people and organisations who wanted to create programs that could reduce drownings.
Focus areas will include risk-taking behaviour by young men, the use of drugs and alcohol, rip current awareness and beach safety, Aboriginal communities and international visitors among others.
Grants range from $25,000 to $250,000.
