A 19-year-old man was caught in a rip and swept out to sea after rescuing a family member who was experiencing difficulties in the surf on the NSW South Coast.

A search is underway for a man swept out to sea while rescuing a family member on the NSW far south coast.

Emergency services were called to Congo Beach about 40km south of Bateman’s Bay following reports a man had gone missing in the water about 3.30pm on Boxing Day.

Officers were informed the 19-year-old man had swum out to rescue a family member who was experiencing difficulties in the surf, NSW Police said.

“He became caught in a rip and was swept out to sea,” the force added in a statement on Wednesday.

A search began immediately but the man could not be found.

A multi-agency search resumed at 7am on Wednesday, involving police, PolAir, Marine Area Command, surf lifesavers, Marine Rescue NSW and a rescue helicopter.

It comes after a man’s body was pulled from the water at Penrith Beach in Sydney’s west on Tuesday evening after a four-hour search.

The man in his 30s reportedly fell off a paddleboard and failed to resurface about 2.30pm.

It is the third drowning on NSW beaches in two days after two men died in separate incidents on the Central Coast on Monday.

Across Australia 18 people have drowned since the beginning of summer on December 1, according to the Royal Life Saving Society.

“Christmas and New Year is the deadliest time for drowning and we have seen many tragic events in the last couple of days,”  Royal Life Saving chief executive officer Justin Scarr told Nine’s Today program on Wednesday.

“As people head off for their holidays traditionally this is the busiest time on our waterways.”

Mr Scarr urged people to remain alert around water and understand the impact of weather conditions.

“Always wear a lifejacket when boating or on watercraft and avoid alcohol around water,” he said.

“Survey the local conditions. It’s important you understand what the weather conditions are and the impact they will have on your safety.”

AAP