His tireless efforts with Volunteer Marine Rescue Mornington were recognised with the awarding of an Emergency Services Medal in the Australia Day honours for outstanding service and leadership.

Mr Matthews, 53, was humble about being singled out for the honour. "It's not about me, it's about all the VMR crew members and what we all do," he said.

The Mt Martha resident works as builder on the peninsula, but when his pager alerts him to a rescue mission, he leaps into action.

The veteran rescuer said local waters were the busiest he had seen for some time. "Anyone can buy a jetski and it's easy to get a licence to use one. Kayakers don't need a licence and a lot are going out a long way, with 50 per cent not using lights when they go out when it's dark and they can be 'collected' by a boat.''

"A lot of incidents are a combination of ignorance and risk-taking." Mr Matthews advises boaties to wear lifejackets - and stay with their vessels if they strike trouble.