Awards for crews who put others' safety first

Port Stephens volunteers battled dangerous conditions with bravery and fortitude.

AMarine Rescue NSW volunteer has been awarded the prestigious Star of Courage for saving the lives of two of his crewmates when their rescue vessel was repeatedly knocked down on its side in a harrowing rescue mission in treacherous conditions in 2016.

Marine Rescue Port Stephens Coxswain Laurie Nolan will receive the Star of Courage in recognition of his conspicuous courage in the face of great peril as the crew of rescue vessel Port Stephens 40 battled 50 knot winds and 5-6m seas to save disabled racing yacht M3.

Fourteen other members of the unit have been awarded national Bravery Medals for their service to the community in the M3 mission and a series of other operations in wild conditions on January 6 and 7, 2016, including responding to five Maydays and searching for a lost yachtsman.

Commissioner Stacey Tannos congratulated the volunteers after the Australian Bravery Decorations were announced by the GovernorGeneral in late March.

“We take great pride in this national recognition of our 15 volunteers. It is entirely fitting that we, as a community, thank them for their extraordinary service to our community and courage,” he said.

“They faced danger and risk with bravery and fortitude, putting the safety of others before their own to fulfil our mission of saving lives on the water.

“Mr Nolan’s selflessness in saving his fellow crew members from being entangled and dragged under water was the finest demonstration of mateship and the Australian volunteering ethos.”

Mr Nolan was awarded the first MRNSW Medal for Valour for the M3 operation. In all, 21 crew members and radio operators received Commissioner’s Commendations and Citations for their efforts over the two days.

On January 6, 2016, a number of racing yachts were caught in severe weather lashing the Hunter coastline. Experienced sailor Mal Lennon lost his life when he was washed overboard from Amante. MR Port Stephens volunteers, along with the NSW Police Marine Area Command at Nelson Bay, responded to a string of emergencies, including five separate Maydays, as well as searching for Mr Lennon.

That evening, PS 40 headed out in the dark to save M3, which was disabled and being blown up the coast. After battling the conditions for five hours, the 32-tonne vessel was hit by a wall of water at 2am, knocking it on to its port side and throwing the crew on deck off their feet. As the boat righted itself, a second large wave hit.

Mr Nolan regained his footing and went to the aid of one his crewmates, who had suffered a dislocated shoulder, helping him to free his safety line and reach the

The crew of Port Stephens 40 are among 15 members of MR Port Stephens recognised for their bravery in a series of search and rescue operations in harrowing conditions in January, 2016.

The Star of Courage.

cabin. Realising another member was pinned to the deck by his safety line wrapped around 30m of towline and deck furniture, Mr Nolan quickly grabbed his knife, severed the lifeline and pulled him inside to safety. When the boat was knocked down for a third time, the whole crew rallied to save the vessel and successfully navigate the hazardous trip back to base.

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