Wesfarmers Emeregency Response Team (ERT) is a new development in surf rescue. Rapid, motorised response units, which are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, provide another layer of support in keeping our beaches and aquatic environment safe.

The main craft used by the Wesfarmers ERT in Western Australia is the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) or ‘waverunner'.

Lifeguards, particularly in the USA, have improved the ability of the RWC to be used in rescues. Although it cannot cater for the same number of patients as the IRB, it offers an operational capacity that makes it ideal for use by lifeguard and specialist services.

In the 1999-2000 seasons Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) introduced the RWC as a Support Service and has played an extremely successful role in supporting clubs and traditional based Lifesaving methods. While Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) lifeguards had been using RWC for several years, the introduction of this craft marked a significant step in our voluntary patrols.

The RWC was introduced into WA in the 2003-2004 season primarily as a rapid response Search and Rescue resource for assistance to the WA Police Service as the state authority responsible for coordinating all S&R operations.

Wesfarmers ERTs are now established around Western Australia in the following areas:

• Perth
• Bunbury
• Margaret River
• Albany-Denmark
• Esperance