Commissioner Tannos sails into retirement
Couple left clinging for life near Eden
ASSET INJECTION
New bases and rescue boats welcomed
Port Jackson rosters the Service’s first ever all-female crew
It’s constantly monitored by MRNSW and your calls for help can also be heard by other boats nearby. With better range, quality and help at the push of a button, make today the day you switch from 27MHz to VHF.
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Commissioner Alex Barrell takes the helm from Stacey Tannos ESM
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Issue 53, AUTUMN/WINTER 2023
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OnApril 3, 2023, I commenced in my new role as Commissioner of Marine Rescue NSW, taking the helm from Stacey Tannos ESM. Our organisation’s strong position is due to the steadfast leadership and outstanding contribution made by Stacey over the last 12 years.
Having spent the past 30 years of my professional life working in emergency and rescue service organisations, with the last two-and-a-half-years heading up the Operational and Capability division of Marine Rescue NSW, I am looking forward to leading Marine Rescue NSW into the future and importantly working with our industry partners and supporting the boating community in NSW.
It has been an extremely busy period right across the NSW coastline and inland waterways with our 3,235 volunteers responding to over 3,000 rescues since the start of the boating season on October 1. More than 800 of those rescues have been in response to life-endangering emergencies.
The summer period from December to February was our busiest on record and this increased workload by our dedicated and tireless volunteers did not go unnoticed. I’d like to acknowledge and thank our members for their unwavering commitment to saving lives on the water.
It is also pleasing to see an increase in the number of boaters Logging On with Marine Rescue NSW via VHF Channel 16 or the free Marine Rescue app. When you Log On with us, details about your trip, such as when you’re due back, help us find you if something doesn’t go to plan. If you are yet to download our updated app, simply head to the App Store or Google Play and start getting into the habit of Logging On every time you hit the water.
As the weather starts to cool, I encourage you to take extra care on our beautiful waterways. Cooler weather brings heightened risks, and it is important that you know what to do should you or a fellow boater fall overboard into the water.
I encourage you to read on and find out about our latest fleet and facilities upgrades, recent operational performance and the professional training we deploy to keep our teams rescue ready. Thank you for your continued support of Marine Rescue NSW.
Alex Barrell Commissioner ALEX BARRELL Commissioner Chief Executive OfficerThisissue marks the end of the official boating season in NSW, one that has been the busiest Marine Rescue NSW has ever seen. Over the past months, indeed the past year, our members have undertaken nearly 4000 rescue missions and brought 8,500 boaters safely to shore. Their selfless dedication during our busiest summer is testament to their commitment to serving their local community, sacrificing time with their loved ones not only over the Christmas and New Year period but throughout the year.
The change of season this year also brings with it a moment of great change for our organisation. We now say farewell to Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos ESM.
After more than a decade, Stacey’s outstanding leadership, drive and unswerving integrity have enabled Marine Rescue NSW to grow from a small underfunded and under-resourced rescue service to one that has become a model for national Marine Rescue organisations to aspire to. Without his commitment, professionalism and determination, we would not be where we are today. We have gone from a cobbled together fleet of boats, a dated comms system and fragmented infrastructure to a fully professional and widely acknowledged leader in the emergency service space.
On behalf of the Marine Rescue NSW Board, I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Stacey for his exemplary leadership of Marine Rescue NSW over the last 12 years and wish him all the best for his retirement. I am confident this is no abandonment of Marine Rescue NSW, and fully expect to see him in his next important public service role in the near future.
Following an extensive recruitment campaign, the Board unanimously appointed the former Deputy, Alex Barrell to the position of Commissioner. Alex is well known to the members, and his relevant and extensive career experience in the NSW Water Police, Maritime and rescue sector made him the outstanding candidate for the role. The Board looks forward to continuing its strong and successful relationship with Alex in his new role as Commissioner.
The Marine Rescue NSW Board has also experienced some changes. During 2022, Mrs Pat Fayers ESM resigned from her position as a General Director on the Marine Rescue NSW Board. Pat has served over 24 years in volunteer marine rescue, having joined the Central Coast division of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in 1998, and was an important contributor to the Marine Rescue NSW Board for more than seven years.
In September, the Marine Rescue NSW Board, in contemplation of the proposed changes to the Constitution, appointed Mr John Lynch ESM as a General Director for the remainder of Pat’s term, through to November 2023. John had previously served as a Marine Rescue NSW Board Member for 10 years from 2011 to 2021 and the Board is delighted to have been able to recover John’s invaluable experience as a Director for a further time.
The past year saw the formation of the Service’s first all-female
vessel crews at Marine Rescue Port Jackson and Marine Rescue Jervis Bay. Earlier in the year, our members added splashes of rainbow to their blues and marched in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade in support of LGBTQI+ members and communities. Our continued growth and relevance will be enhanced by the inclusion of more members from diverse backgrounds across the organisation.
While I would hope to close with my thanks to every member for a job well done, and add wishes for a quiet and peaceful off-season, the last years have seen the boating seasons extend beyond their traditional limits – so the thanks must be accompanied with the request – keep up the good work and be proud of Marine Rescue NSW.
Tannos ESM closed the door on his office at Marine Rescue NSW state headquarters for the final time as Commissioner on April 3.
After almost 12 years at the helm of Australia’s pre-eminent volunteer marine rescue service, leadership of the agency has now been handed to new Commissioner Alex Barrell as Mr Tannos enters retirement following a successful 31-year career in Emergency Services.
“I am certainly anxious about retiring as I enjoy keeping busy but it is time for me to move on and allow a fresh set of eyes to manage the organisation into the future.
“I will certainly miss the Emergency Services environment and the great people that volunteer and work within it.
“Alex is a people person first and foremost who has the utmost respect for our volunteers, Board and staff, which is a critical attribute for any leader.
“Alex is a great strategic thinker who has the ability to articulate his vision to whoever his audience may be, including them on the journey.
“His operational and policy background with NSW Police Force, NSW Maritime and Marine Rescue NSW holds him in great stead to lead the organisation into its next phase,” the retiring Commissioner said.
Mr Tannos first joined the public service in 1983 as a clerk in the former Criminal Investigations Bureau before moving into a service officer role for the Minister of Police and Emergency Services and then as a policy analyst.
His rise through the ranks saw him appointed to a variety of Director roles in Emergency Services before being appointed the first NSW Emergency Recovery Controller.
On July 1, 2011 he was appointed Commissioner of Marine Rescue NSW, a role that saw him guide the organisation into the
highly respected Emergency Service it is today.
“I cannot speak highly enough about the passion in which our volunteers embraced the amalgamation of the three former organisations, working tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition, involving the re-education on new systems, policies and equipment.
“Who would have thought that in just 10 short years we would become the envy of all other states,” he said.
Mr Tannos is also the Chair of the NSW State Rescue Board and told Soundings that he is looking forward to spending more time at home with his family, going fishing and enjoying some overseas travel.
“It has always been a dream of mine to rebuild a 1967 Mustang, preferably a Shelby if I can source one for the right price,” he said.
The retiring Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner is an extremely handy individual.
His office at HQ housed an impressive resin coffee table that he
crafted himself.
“I love working on the tools.
“I undertook all of the carpentry fit-out work in the first home I built, I have made a number of Tiffany (lead light) lamps, the largest having some 400 pieces of individually cut glass and can use a sewing machine,” he said.
Mr Tannos is also an avid collector having an incredible array of Indigenous art and digeridoos.
“I also collect Coca-Cola memorabilia and have one of the largest Australian yo-yo collections.
“I have about 100, all different with a couple of prototypes that never got to production.
“I started collecting yo-yos about 30 years ago,” he said.
Mr Tannos heads into the next chapter of his life full of admiration and many fond memories of the volunteers who tirelessly give their time to Marine Rescue NSW and the communities they serve.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to work alongside them all.
“Our members should be extremely proud of what they do and of the organisation.
“I believe without a doubt that we have the best Marine Rescue organisation in the South Pacific Region and are envied by many,” he said.
During his time as Commissioner more than 30,000 assists to boaters in need were carried out by Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
“Of those, approximately 8,000 were notifiable incidents where people’s lives were in imminent danger.
“If ever our members have a moment of doubt in what we do, just remember the numbers, they are real people with families and loved ones who may not be here today if it weren’t for our volunteers and their actions.
“My job as Commissioner was made so much easier with the support that all members have given me and the staff over the years and I know that they will continue that support with Commissioner Barrell,” he said.
Former Commissioner Tannos said he will be forever thankful to the Marine Rescue NSW Board for their trust and support.
“The Chair of the Board, Mr James Glissan AM ESM KC has been in that capacity since 2010 and has played a much larger role than members may appreciate in steering this organisation to where it is today.
“He has and continues to bring to the Board an extremely professional approach and demeanor that is well recognised and respected across government and I would like to personally thank him for the significant role he has played and for his friendship, mentorship, support and guidance over the years,” he said.
Mr Tannos will assist Commissioner Barrell during the transition period before officially entering retirement on July 1.
As he begins scoping for the right priced Shelby Mustang to rebuild he departs the Commissioner’s office with eight words for Marine Rescue NSW members and staff.
“May you have fair winds and following seas” – Stacey Tannos ESM.A selection from the collection.
1 DEC 2022 - 28 FEB 2023
Thesummer boating season was another busy one with our volunteers undertaking more than 1,800 rescues, making it the busiest summer on record.
Rescue missions
4,352
78,498
Boaters returned safely to shore
Radio calls
1,802 25,166 Boats Logged On
Over half of the rescue missions were in response to largely preventable issues, such as engine troubles, flat batteries or insufficient fuel. This figure suggests that if boaters regularly serviced their vessel and paid greater attention to fuel and navigation, we could see a reduction in incidents of this nature.
Before making a call for help, 24 per cent of vessels were cruising, 22 per cent were fishing and 5 per cent were sailing. Other activities undertaken by vessels in distress included kayaking, paddling, crossing a bar and waterskiing.
These figures and other key data recorded at the time of incident is compared to historical data to help identify any long term trends, and for management strategies to be developed,
particularly in relation to boater education campaigns and resources.
One such strategy was Marine Rescue NSW’s involvement in a multi-agency media event to remind boaters of the importance of boating safely, in the lead up to Australia Day and the subsequent weekend. With high numbers of rescue missions and ideal weather conditions forecast, the event provided a timely opportunity to reinforce the simple steps boaters can take to boost their safety on the water.
One of the more unusual incidents this summer saw volunteers from Marine Rescue Merimbula complete a threeand-a-half-hour mission to rescue a private fishing vessel located more than 32 kilometres off Tura Head. The vessel lost power after being slammed by a marlin.
What started out as a summer holiday fishing trip on the far South Coast quickly turned into a fight for survival for Tumbarumba couple Chris and Christine Matthews. As the pair chased a change in luck on the end of their lines, they headed for the Kiah Inlet off Twofold Bay and before they knew it their 4.2 metre tinny had capsized and they were both in the water.
Standing alongside then Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke, Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman, NSW Police Marine Area Command Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill, NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings and Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce, Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos urged boaters to take the time to complete a few simple steps which can make the difference between a great day out and a potentially life-endangering emergency.
30 paddlers were thankful Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were nearby after a dragon boat and two outriggers got into trouble over the summer. Port Stephens, Lemon Tree Passage, Lake Macquarie and Botany Port Hacking responded to the three separate incidents.
Before boating, prepare your vessel, ensure the necessary safety equipment is on board and boat safely when you do hit the water.“
into cold water can be life-threatening. With winter approaching, boaters need to take extra care and know what to do should they fall overboard.
Water temperatures below 15°C are dangerous. Don’t be fooled by a sunny day, even when the sun is shining, water can be dangerously cold.
Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops below 35°C. This affects your brain, heart and other internal organs and eventually you’ll lose consciousness, significantly increasing the risk of drowning.
Reduce your capsize risk by not overloading your vessel, distributing weight evenly, and stowing heavy items as low as possible
As always, it’s important to wear a lifejacket – it will help you
manage cold shock, conserve your energy and prevent you from inhaling water. It will also give you more time to get back into your vessel or for someone to help you.
If you fall overboard, try to stay calm. Resist the temptation to swim, this increases the body heat loss, and stay with your boat.
If you're alone, the best option to limit body heat loss is the HELP position. Draw your knees to your chest and wrap your arms around your knees. Clasp your hands together so you're in a tucked position and maintain it.
If you're in the water with others, huddling is the best method of reducing the risk of hypothermia. Huddle close together to protect your chests and arms. This can reduce the rate at which your body loses heat and can increase survival time by up to 50 per cent.
If you don’t return as planned, we will start searching for you, saving vital time if you are unable to call for help in an emergency.
saw Marine Rescue Brunswick and Ballina units tasked to retrieve a Fish Aggregating Device transmitter on behalf of Fisheries Queensland after it broke its mooring and began drifting, becoming a navigational hazard.
A fish aggregating device (FAD) is a man-made object such as a
buoy tethered to the ocean floor, and used to attract ocean-going pelagic fish such as marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi. FADs attract fish for numerous reasons that vary by species including as a refuge for juvenile fish and as locations for mating activities.
The Fisheries FAD transmits a signal marking its location every six hours, so when it broke its mooring, its drift from its regular position was noted and Marine Rescue NSW was asked to assist in its retrieval the following day.
That night the seas came up with a strong NNE wind and with the device predicted to arrive off South Cape Byron by morning, Marine Rescue Brunswick and Ballina raced to get to the device before it crashed into the rocky shoreline that scars the region’s coastline.
The retrieval of the FAD provided an excellent search exercise for the two crews, who with deduced reckoning calculated where the device might be following its last ping at 4am ahead of its next expected ping around 11am.
The two crews were successful in locating the device, and retrieved it for delivery to Fisheries. The exercise demonstrated the amicable and collaborative arrangement Marine Rescue NSW has with other maritime organisations and provided crews with a valuable ‘real life’ scenario to hone their search skills.
The Ultimate 115HP & 140HP Outboard Motor Range now fitted with the Suzuki Micro-Plastic Collecting Device.
Suzuki’s third generation 115hp & 140hp outboard motors boast more torque, quicker acceleration, and improved top speed thanks to revising the cylinder head and piston design and increasing the compression ratio to 10.6:1. The new cowling and semi-direct air intake greatly reduce intake noise resulting in quieter operation. Suzuki’s Micro-Plastic Collecting Device (MPC) is part of Suzuki’s Clean Ocean Project initiative, which collects micro-plastic without any effect on performance when boating. The third generation 115hp & 140hp are available in both Suzuki Precision Control (Drive-by-wire) and mechanical-drive variants and backed by Suzuki’s 3+3-year recreational warranty.
based on the NSW South Coast at Marine Rescue Shoalhaven where he is one of the unit’s Coxswains, Mark Dolence’s deployment in October 2022 was to the flat plains of the Riverina, working on the flooded Wakool, Edward and Murray Rivers at locations including Moama, Barham, Noorong and Wanganella.
For Mark it was a homecoming of sorts, as he’d been raised in Mildura and knew the general area and the challenges that floods provide to the small communities and farms that lie along the river’s snaking path across the state’s western plains.
Mark was motivated to help by a desire to do something that was different, and to help a few of the many communities battling flooding.
“Generally, we were pretty busy,” said Mark. “While there was a bit of waiting around, there was plenty to get on with.”
Among the many tasks Mark and his fellow volunteers “got on with” was to secure a pontoon, take a lady back to the isolated home she’d evacuated to get essential medication, inspect levees from the water to check for any potential problems, and undertake welfare checks.
The biggest tasks though were working with local farmers in the relocation of their livestock.
“For me it was a privilege to be allowed to move the prize sheep of a farming family,” said Mark.
“One farmer had been laboriously taking feed to the levee they were stranded on for over two weeks. Over two days, and using an SES bowloader floodboat, we worked with the farmer to relocate his 500 head of sheep to the roadside ‘long paddock’ where they could be much more easily managed.
“It was humbling to experience the gratitude of the farmers, who just couldn’t stop thanking us.”
Out on the water, Mark and the other Marine Rescue NSW volunteers soon adapted to the range of unfamiliar hazards presented by the floods.
“Out there you need to channel a bit of your inner cowboy,” Mark joked.
“We’d find ourselves floating over submerged rye grass fields, leaning out of the boat to open gates, and asking the farmer to cut us a path through barbed wire fences. You soon got used to the sight of the occasional homeless Eastern Brown snake and removing rye grass from the props but it was a bit harder to get used to the squadrons of mosquitoes!”
By Joseph Allbeury, Marine Rescue Middle Harbour
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour deployed MH 30, a 38ft Stebercraft, and MH 20, a 6.8m Naiad, for the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on December 26.
As a new member of Marine Rescue NSW, I was excited to be involved in an exercise that incorporated multiple agencies for the first time.
On the day, our first port of call was NSW Maritime HQ at Rozelle for a briefing. There was a veritable flotilla of Marine Rescue NSW vessels tied up and at least 50 Marine Rescue NSW crew at the base from Greater Sydney and the North and South Coast.
We received a thorough rundown of our roles and even received ration packs which turned out to be incredibly edible although they did include a bad luck banana.
Maritime explained that they had created an exclusion zone up the middle of the harbour from the starting line to just beyond the heads, marked with numbered buoys.
Middle Harbour 30, being a larger vessel ideal for offshore work, was tasked with maintaining the line between buoys 70 and 79 at the mouth of the harbour close to South Head. Our role, together with other Marine Rescue NSW vessels, Water Police and Maritime boats was to ensure pleasure craft did not cross the exclusion zone before the race started and until the entire fleet had exited the harbour.
We also took on board a maritime radio and the obligatory "No Wash” and “6 Knots” sign that were nowhere near as useful as our gas powered handheld air horn.
As MH 30 was "on point” at the heads, we had a relatively quiet time until the start. Once the carbon fibre sails of the maxis appeared, so too did hundreds of pleasure craft following the fleet on each side of the zone which sometimes needed a reminder to stay on the right side of the line, particularly once the maxis had passed and the rest of the fleet was still to come.
As a Marine Rescue NSW trainee, it was both exciting and interesting to be involved in such a prestigious nautical event and to be party to some of its organisation. All in all, it was another great experience for me as a member of Marine Rescue Middle Harbour.
Marine Rescue NSW boat, Merimbula 30 completed a unique three-and-a-half-hour mission in February after a marlin slammed into the engine of a private fishing vessel more than 32 kilometres off Tura Head.
The skipper of the 6.7 metre fishing boat said they were trawling and hooked up a black marlin.
The marlin hit the engine, punching a hole in its canvas cover and cowling, disabling the vessel’s power.
“It was an unusual rescue,” Blakeman said.
In Blakeman’s 15 years of volunteer service on the water, he’s never responded to an incident involving a marlin damaging a vessel.
“It was a freaky thing,” the skipper said. “We had to cut the line.
“The marlin would have been around 70 kilograms,” he said. The skipper called Marine Rescue Merimbula to request a tow to Tathra.
Marine Rescue Merimbula Unit Commander Bill Blakeman and fellow volunteers Stewart Dietrich and Bob Ainsworth were tasked to crew MB 30 and took one hour to reach the stranded vessel.
Because of the distance involved, MB 30 took two hours to tow the damaged vessel back to Kianinny boat ramp at 10 knots, using just over 50 litres of fuel an hour.
Blakeman praised the Marine Rescue NSW crew and Anita Ormandy, Bernie Ryan and Sonia Teston in radio operations.
“It was a good experience for our new trainee at the radio base.
“She’s about to take her assessment as a Radio Operator, this rescue will put her in good stead,” Blakeman said.
Ms Ormandy passed her assessment in the days following and is now a regular on Merimbula’s roster.
Freak incident leaves anglers stranded
We were fighting it and it did a U-turn and slammed into the engine, it happened so quick
I’ve had a couple of shark related incidents over the years where they attacked propellers, but never a marlin disabling a vessel “ “ “ “The disabled vessel makes the trip back to Kianinny. Tracking of the rescue vessel.
Whatstarted out as a summer holiday fishing trip on the far South Coast quickly turned into a fight for survival for Tumbarumba couple Chris and Christine Matthews.
As the pair chased a change in luck on the end of their lines, they headed for the Kiah Inlet off Twofold Bay and before they knew it their 4.2 metre tinny had capsized and they were both in the water.
before trawling back towards Navy Wharf.
“We thought we might go down to the Kiah Inlet.
“We’ve been there a few times over the years.
“When you get there you’ve got to go around the rocks to go in, it’s quite narrow,” Chris said.
It was just before 1pm when Chris and Christine arrived and before they knew it their tinny was at the mercy of the swell.
“We noticed the wash coming from the back.
“We decided it wasn’t worth it, I turned starboard right and we had big waves on us straight away, they were quite a few metres high,” he said.
With a tremble in his voice, Chris told Soundings that the first wave put water in their vessel.
“It was quite heavy.
“The second one hit and swamped the boat, it knocked my wife into the console and onto the floor,” he said.
Chris recalls that the power of the waves were so strong it turned their vessel and left them facing the next barrage.
Chris Matthews and his wife have been holidaying on the Bega Valley coast for years, making the drive from the western fringe of the Snowy Mountains to enjoy the waterways around Eden but on Friday February 3, 2023, Chris was forced to call for assistance for the first time in his 40 years as a skipper.
It was a call that ultimately saved their lives.
“We’re very thankful to the Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and the emergency responders,” Chris said.
“We were pointing straight up.
The Matthews’ launched at Quarantine Bay in light north westerly conditions and unsuccessfully chased a few flatheads
Chris wasn’t wearing a lifejacket but wife Christine was.
“I got thrown out as the boat went over, I was away from it but my wife was trapped under the hull,” he said.
With his heart racing, Chris began to panic about his wife.
“I called out to her, I heard nothing,” he said.
Chris was about to go under the hull to find his wife when she popped out.
Christine can’t recall exactly how she got out, she just did.
I got thrown out as the boat went over, I was away from it but my wife was trapped under the hull
We wouldn’t be here without them. We owe them our life
The top of the wave was curling over the top of us and the boat flipped backwards
“ “ “
“ “
“Kent Farrell, Wendy Farrell, Christine and Chris Matthews, Acacia Rose, John Ryder and Mark Cattanach. A multi-agency response saved the couple.
“Just before we tipped, I was on the floor; it was full of water.
“I just knew I had to get out.
“I was trapped for maybe 30 seconds, I don’t know for sure, time stands still in that situation,” she said.
Christine told Soundings that her lifejacket didn’t inflate.
“I was pulling the chord and it didn’t work,” she said.
With the pair now clinging to the side of their overturned vessel, their fight for survival continued.
“I was relieved we were both alive but the waves were still rolling in,” Chris said.
Christine grabbed her phone in the seconds after the first wave hit but she didn’t have enough time to call Triple Zero (000) as their tinny was battered.
“Somehow she held onto it as the boat overturned, it was gripped in her hand,” Chris said.
He told Soundings how his wife’s waterproof mobile was about to have the ultimate test.
“She gave it to me.
“It was hard because we had to hang onto the hull with both hands.
“I got the phone and put it in my back pocket,” he said.
With the pair clinging for life, Chris made his way around to the back of the boat and climbed up onto the hull.
“I managed to use one hand to make the call, it worked!
The waves had stopped crashing as he spoke with the Triple Zero operator during a frantic muffled call.
Around 1pm, the Marine Rescue NSW and Emergency Services response was activated.
Monaro Zone Duty Operations Manager, Glenn Sullivan contacted Marine Rescue Eden Radio Operator, John Ryder and ordered the deployment of XRAY 21 to attend to the vessel in distress with Coxswain Mark Cattanach and crew members Wendy Farrell, Steve Mossman and Acacia Rose tasked to the rescue vessel while Duty Officer Kent Farrell assisted at the unit.
NSW Police Marine Area Command Search and Rescue tasked the Westpac Rescue helicopter, Surf Life Saving NSW and Eden Slipway Services to join the response.
While the crew of XRAY 21 was preparing to launch, Ryder made an emergency call on the radio to alert vessels on Twofold Bay that a rescue was in progress and requested assistance until the Marine Rescue NSW boat arrived.
“Another vessel heard the MAYDAY call and was first in the area as the waves ramped up again,” Chris said.
The responding vessel was a private fishing boat but as it arrived in the vicinity of the Matthew’s stricken tinny, its skipper advised that they could not directly assist because conditions were too rough.
Chris details how he saw the boat arrive and move to safer water.
“I could see them monitoring us, it was a relief knowing someone could see us,” he said.
The fishing vessel relayed valuable information to Marine Rescue Eden as Chris and Christine continued to cling to their hull.
The Eden Slipway Services boat was next on scene and pulled Chris from the water.
He was transferred to XRAY 21 and assessed by crew while Christine was taken to safety by Surf Life Saving.
“I was exhausted,” she said.
Rescuers were concerned that Christine had water in her lungs. She required immediate first aid and was winched out by chopper before being taken to a nearby sports field and transferred to Bega Hospital.
Chris was transported by XRAY 21 to the Marine Rescue NSW base at Snug Cove and driven by paramedics to Bega Hospital for assessment.
Chris said he checked out ok but his wife required observation and was released a few hours later.
“40 odd years as a skipper and it’s the first time I’ve ever needed assistance,” he said.
“It was supposed to be a perfectly calm day; everyone was surprised how rough it got.”
In the days after their life saving rescue, Chris and Christine returned to the Eden unit base for an emotional reunion with their rescuers.
“We’re so grateful to Marine Rescue NSW, the Police, Eden Slipway Services, the chopper, the ambos, all emergency services, they were brilliant,” Christine said.
Chris said the professionalism of all involved was exceptional.
“I give them 100 out of 100,” he said.
Christine said she has been experiencing nightmares reliving the ordeal and will seek professional help.
“It’s important she recovers from this by talking to someone,” Chris said.
“I will see how I go and if I need to I will see someone as well,” he said.
The Matthews’ vessel was recovered by the Eden Slipway Services vessel and towed back to Snug Cove.
“Thankfully the boat was insured,” Chris said with a smile.
Marine Rescue Eden Unit Commander Nancy Weatherman was delighted with the positive outcome.
“It was the unit’s first MAYDAY call with XRAY 21.
“It brought together the work that we’ve done through Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX) where we combine with other agencies to put into practice what we train,” she said.
Despite their life threatening adventure, the Matthews’ will return to Eden and have already booked their cabin for next year.
“I just cried when I saw Marine Rescue NSW and the other emergency services arrive,” Christine said.
30paddlers were thankful Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were nearby after a dragon boat and two outriggers got into trouble over the summer.
Marine Rescue NSW crews at Port Stephens and Lemon Tree Passage responded to a MAYDAY relay over VHF Channel 16 after a dragon boat with 18 people on board overturned near Soldiers Point.
With assistance from members of the public, PS 31 and LT 30 safely got all 18 people out of the water and delivered them and their vessel to the Soldiers Point boat ramp.
None of the dragon boat crew were injured and once they regathered themselves they continued with their training.
A routine Sunday morning paddle finished with six members of the Lakes Outrigger Canoe Club being plucked from the water at Swansea Bar after their vessel was swamped by waves, filling it with water before splitting in two.
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie radio operators were monitoring the bar during the incident and a rescue boat was tasked to assist.
The six paddlers were rescued by Lake Macquarie volunteers with some suffering scratching and bruising. While the outrigger was retrieved, the canoe named Spirit was broken.
A trip to Sydney for a group of paddlers from Townsville ended up with six women being rescued near Cronulla.
The women were competing in the Port Hacking Outrigger Regatta when their outrigger failed early in the event.
Botany Port Hacking volunteer Bob Wilson said BH 32 was patrolling the area and went to their aid when they noticed a jet ski shadowing the vessel.
“We were out near the whale watching platform, north of Cape Solander when we saw the people on the vessel with their paddles raised in the air which is a sign of distress.
“It was a bit difficult because they were on the seaward side and when we reached them the women on board were concerned.
“We explained to them that we would lash their vessel to ours to stabilise them so they could safely get from their vessel and onto BH 32,” he said.
Mr Wilson said the Marine Rescue NSW crew was concerned that the vessel was going to break up while one of the competitors was worried about the outrigger rolling in the water.
“We were able to calm her down along with her teammates.
“They all gave us a big hug and were very thankful for our assistance,” Wilson said.
BH 32 transported the six women and the broken outrigger back to Bonna Point at Kurnell where the event began.
None of the women suffered injuries in the incident.
Earlierthis year the Marine Rescue Hawkesbury unit was first on scene after a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was activated in the vicinity of Mooney Mooney Creek, just north of Lemon Tree Passage, with NSW Police Marine Area Command and PolAir also responding to the alert.
An overturned vessel was located next to bushland in water too shallow for Marine Rescue NSW and Marine Area Command vessels to access. Members of Marine Rescue Hawkesbury made the decision to proceed into the surrounding bush on foot and located the two boaters who were safe and in good spirits although very worried about their dog Fletcher.
Joe, a local resident, generously offered his kayak, which was used by a police officer to retrieve one of the boaters. The second boater was assisted out on foot by Marine Rescue Hawkesbury members.
While the boaters were safe, Fletcher, their much loved dog, was still missing. Thankfully after an extensive search, little Fletcher was located at a nearby campsite and returned to his worried owners on the kayak.
A good outcome for all involved and a reminder of the importance of carrying a PLB especially in isolated areas or areas with no mobile coverage.
▸ A PLB is a Personal Locator Beacon, a personal electronic transmitting device that is designed to alert potential rescuers to a life-threatening situation by sending out a signal and giving a GPS location.
▸ Only activate a PLB if you are in danger or injured and cannot call for help on a marine radio or mobile phone. Once activated, stay where you are.
ThenMinister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke officially welcomed Marine Rescue Evans Head’s $556,000 rescue vessel Evans Head 31 at a ceremony conducted at Evans Head in January.
Ms Cooke was joined by then Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis and Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell to officially commission Evans Head 31 to the Marine Rescue NSW fleet.
“Evans Head 31 is one of 38 new rescue vessels funded by a $37.6 million State Government investment to support the vital, life-saving work of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers,” Ms Cooke said.
“With powerful Suzuki engines and specialist Raymarine suite of maritime navigation equipment, the 10m mono-hulled Naiad rescue boat has already proven to have the speed and technology to quickly and safely get rescue crews where they need to when vital seconds count.”
“This outstanding rescue vessel is a valuable investment in the
safety of Evans Head’s active local boating community and its many visiting boaters.”
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell said the new rescue boat had been custom-designed and built to meet demanding local operating conditions, and would prove a reassuring presence for locals and visitors alike.
“Evans Head’s boaters can rest a little easier knowing that this state of the art vessel is at the ready should they run into trouble.” he said.
“As well as operating on the river, the boat can quickly deploy up to 30 nautical miles out to sea to rescue boaters who find themselves in trouble offshore.”
Marine Rescue Evans Head Unit Commander Greg Blackburn thanked the local community for its generous support of the unit’s fundraising efforts to contribute 20 per cent of the cost of the new vessel.
He said the new vessel was a significant improvement over the unit’s former boat.
“The upgraded search and rescue technology on board including radar, sonar and FLIR night vision has improved our search capability, which is vital to our mission of saving lives on the water,” he said.
“With improved handling and maneuverability and greater volunteer comfort, our crews are able to operate more safely for longer periods and in a wider range of weather and sea conditions.”
“The vessel’s name, the Heather Stacey, is a fitting tribute to much respected member Heather Stacey. Heather has been a volunteer with the Evans Head unit for more than 27 years and remains a popular administrator and respected member of the Evans Head community.”
has been completed and the plaque has been unveiled, marking the official opening of a new $1.215 million base for Marine Rescue Broken Bay.
Then Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said the new facility, in Rowland Reserve on the shores of Pittwater, was developed thanks to $915,000 from the NSW Government’s investment of $37.6 million in Marine Rescue NSW, a $200,000 commitment by Northern Beaches Council and a $100,000 Community Building Partnerships grant.
“This wonderful new facility means the members of Marine Rescue Broken Bay now have an operations base specifically designed to support them in their vital work in keeping watch over the Pittwater and Broken Bay boating community.” Mr Stokes
said.
“The NSW Government is proud to support our Marine Rescue NSW volunteers by providing them with the facilities they need to deliver life-saving services to the State’s boating community.”
The new facility includes a large training and meeting space, ample storage for rescue equipment, offices, amenities, kitchen facilities, a wet area for boat crews and access for volunteers living with a disability.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell thanked the Government for its support in developing the new base.
“This funding has boosted our rescue capability on Pittwater and Broken Bay, and ensured our volunteers have facilities designed and equipped for modern emergency management,”
“Pittwater and Broken Bay are some of the busiest boating areas in NSW, and these new facilities will help ensure our volunteers are rescue ready should an emergency arise.”
Commander of the Broken Bay Unit, Jimmy Arteaga, said the new building was the culmination of extensive planning and input by the unit’s volunteers to ensure it met their needs now and well into the future.
“This new building provides a significant improvement to our ability to train and undertake operations, as well as providing our members with a safe and secure working environment,” Mr Arteaga said.
“I’m grateful for the support of the NSW Government and Northern Beaches Council and confident these first-rate facilities will also help encourage new members to join our mission of saving lives on the water.”
Inearly March Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell formally opened a new $119,000 training facility for Marine Rescue Eden.
The dedicated facility, located on the jetty at Snug Cove, had been completed thanks to a $45,000 grant from Bendigo Bank Pambula & Bega.
Deputy Commissioner Barrell was joined at the opening by Chair of the Pambula and District Community Development Limited Tim Shepherd, Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland, Marine Rescue NSW Board Director Glenn Felkin ESM, Zone Commander South Mike Hammond, and members of Marine Rescue Eden.
“I’m delighted to be here today to open this important project for Marine Rescue Eden and the Far South Coast boating community,” Deputy Commissioner Barrell said.
“The funding from Bendigo Bank has helped ensure our Marine Rescue Eden volunteers have the facilities they need to achieve their mission of saving lives on the water,” he said.
Chair of the Pambula and District Community Development Limited Tim Shepherd said Bendigo Bank is proud to support the volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW and jumped at the opportunity to contribute to the training facility.
“When we became aware of the Eden unit’s desire to set up a training centre we wanted to get involved to assist with Marine Rescue NSW’s life-saving work.
“The Pambula and District Community Development Limited through our Bendigo Bank Community Branches in Pambula and Bega are very proud to have been able to support the Marine Rescue Eden unit to establish their new training facility at Snug Cove.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Marine Rescue NSW in the future,” Mr Shepherd said.
Marine Rescue Eden Unit Commander Nancy Weatherman said the new centre is a major boost for volunteers.
“It provides members of Marine Rescue Eden with a dedicated all-weather location for training, crew readiness area and office space as well as opportunities to educate and engage with the boating community.” she said
“The new centre allows us to facilitate training for radio courses, navigation and systems for our volunteers.
“I’m grateful for the support of both Bendigo Bank and Marine Rescue NSW, and am confident this first-rate facility will also help encourage new members to join us in our mission of saving lives on the water,” Ms Weatherman said.
Marine Rescue Newcastle’s new $3 million home is taking shape at Stockton as construction continues on the purpose-built facility.
10 months after the first sod was turned at the western end of King Street, adjacent to the South Stockton boat ramp, all structural steel, trusses and frames have been installed on the first floor level.
the development,” Ms Van Homrigh said.
The Newcastle base at Stockton will feature a new radio room along with crew facilities providing Marine Rescue NSW volunteers with an all-weather space to train and from which to coordinate life-saving emergency responses.
The blockwork and lift shaft on the ground level has been completed while specialised roofing materials have been sourced with the roof to be installed shortly.
Cowyn Building Group Project Manager, Tim Hill said weather permitting, construction is on target with the building expected to be completed towards the end of June as planned.
Marine Rescue Newcastle Deputy Unit Commander Lyn Van Homrigh said members are looking forward to calling the new facility home.
“The construction of the new base has generated a lot of interest and support for Marine Rescue NSW with a number of potential new volunteers making enquiries from Stockton and surrounding communities.
“We’ve already had several new members join and others have expressed an interest in Marine Rescue NSW as a direct result of
The new base will ensure Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have the facilities they need to undertake their mission of saving lives on the water and keeping the Hunter’s active local boating community and visiting boaters safe.
“The facility at Stockton will also allow the expansion of the Newcastle Unit's search and rescue capabilities,” Ms Van Homrigh said.
The new facility has been funded by a $2 million grant from the Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands with the remainder coming from the NSW Government’s commitment of $37.6 million to Marine Rescue NSW.
The new base will ensure Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have the facilities they need to undertake their mission of saving lives on the water“ “Artist impression of the new Marine Rescue Newcastle base. Photo: Space Design Architecture. A birds eye view of the construction site at Stockton. Photo: Cowyn Building group.
The newest addition to Marine Rescue NSW’s fleet, Merimbula 31 has arrived at its new home on the South Coast.
The 11.3 metre Naiad is one of 38 new rescue vessels funded by a $37.6 million NSW Government investment to support the vital, life-saving work of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
Marine Rescue NSW Senior Manager Fleet Kelvin Parkin completed the induction in Batemans Bay after MB 31 was transported from the Northern Rivers following its construction at Yamba Welding and Engineering.
“Induction with the Merimbula senior crew and trainers went smoothly,” Mr Parkin said.
“This vessel is a step up from their previous boat and the crew embraced learning about it.
“They are being upskilled to be able to operate this new vessel to its full capability,” he said.
Parkin said MB 31 is the latest in the evolution of Marine Rescue NSW’s vessel program which includes the agency’s standardised equipment and improvements on earlier fleet.
With the latest in marine navigation and safety equipment, this new rescue boat has the speed and technology to quickly and safely get rescue crews where they need to be when vital seconds count
“If you’ve got a person in the water, the FLIR (infrared heat detection) camera can lock on their position, so if there’s a lot of swell or poor visibility the crew will still know where to navigate to retrieve the person,” he said.
MB 31 has an under chine anchor which Parkin said improves crew safety and ergonomic seats to reduce fatigue.
Marine Rescue Merimbula Unit Commander Bill Blakeman said crew members were given comprehensive training on the new vessel.
“All our crew have to be 100 per cent up to speed on all of our assets before they head out on the water.
“This boat will be able to handle any situation well offshore,” the Unit Commander said.
“I’m very pleased to have this incredible new vessel as it will enhance our mission of saving lives on the water,” Mr Blakeman said.
There are a number of new inclusions such as augmented reality for water tracking and field of view display on the navigation system.“ “
TheMarine Rescue NSW fleet will welcome six new vessels over the coming months with the first two closing in on completion.
Five of the boats are being constructed at Yamba Welding and Engineering while work has commenced on Alpine Lakes 20 at Gray’s Marine and Welding.
Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes and Batemans Bay are about to take delivery of new 6.3 metre walk-through console Naiad boats.
The vessels have a full Raymarine suite and are almost identical apart from one slight difference.
TL 21 will have a fixed roof while BM 21 features a foldable bimini cover.
With twin 115hp outboard engines, both TL 21 and BM 21 will be capable of reaching speeds of 38 knots.
Volunteers at Marine Rescue Port Stephens are counting down the days until the arrival of their new vessel PS 30.
It’s full steam ahead at Yamba Welding and Engineering as they target late May for completion of the new 10 metre Naiad.
Powered by twin 300hp outboard engines, the vessel will be a welcome addition to the busy Port Stephens unit.
Construction of Woolgoolga’s new 9.6 metre Naiad Hamilton Jet commenced in February and the boat is taking shape.
The vessel has been specifically designed to be launched and retrieved from the beach like the current rescue boat.
WO 30 will have a full Raymarine suite, four shock mitigating seating positions and pack plenty of punch with a Cummins QSB 6.7 inboard diesel engine. It’s due for completion in June this year.
The Alpine Lakes unit will welcome a 6.8 metre Gray’s Marine and Welding CNC plate vessel with all the bells and whistles and twin Suzuki 140hp engines by the end of the financial year.
The team at Gray’s Marine have commenced virtual testing on AL 20 with all work on schedule.
Excitement is building on the far South Coast as Yamba Welding and Engineering produces the first of its kind ‘Secure Class’ vessel which will be known as Eden 30.
The 11.3 metre boat is set to be delivered later this year and will be powered by twin 300 OXE outboard diesel engines.
The vessel will also have a full Raymarine suite and four shock mitigating seated positions.
Marine Rescue NSW Senior Manager Fleet Kelvin Parkin said the line drawings of ED 30 are coming together and the cut files are being made.
Mr Parkin recently visited both engineering firms for a progress update on all vessels currently under construction.
“Everything is progressing well, there’s no major hurdles or
delays and we are very much looking forward to adding these vessels to our fleet.
“They are vital assets in Marine Rescue NSW’s mission of saving lives on the water,” Mr Parkin said.
around the Hawkesbury will be kept safer thanks to the delivery of a new $441,000 rescue boat.
Then Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke joined State MP Adam Crouch and Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Todd Andrews to commission the new vessel Hawkesbury 30 in a ceremony at Mooney Mooney in February.
“This new state-of-the-art rescue boat will allow our Marine Rescue NSW volunteers to keep people safer on the water,” Ms Cooke said.
“Hawkesbury 30 is one of 38 new vessels being rolled out across the State under a $37.6 million investment by the NSW Government to support Marine Rescue in protecting communities,” Ms Cooke said.
Mr Crouch said as well as operating on the river, the rescue boat can quickly deploy up to 30 nautical miles out to sea.
“This outstanding vessel is a valuable investment in the safety of the Hawkesbury’s active local boating community and its many visiting boaters. With its 250 horse power engines and a specialist Raymarine suite of maritime navigation equipment, Hawkesbury 30
has the speed and technology to quickly get rescue crews where they are needed,” Mr Crouch said.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Todd Andrews said the new rescue boat has been custom-designed and built to meet demanding local operating conditions, and would prove a reassuring presence for locals and visitors alike.
“Hawkesbury’s boaters can rest a little easier knowing that this state-of-the-art vessel is at the ready should they run into trouble,” Deputy Commissioner Andrews said.
Unit Commander Peter Moore said the new vessel was a significant improvement over the unit’s former boat.
“The oversized windows provide greater visibility, while the large rear deck has adequate space for medical assists, which is essential for when Marine Rescue NSW volunteers need to work with other first responders like NSW Ambulance paramedics,” Mr Moore said.
The vessel was blessed by Marine Rescue NSW Chaplain Reverend Carmelo Sciberras, who is a member of Marine Rescue Hawkesbury.
Marine Rescue Brunswick has added a new inflatable rapid response emergency rescue boat to its fleet on the North Coast.
Financial support from the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation allowed the unit to acquire a new 3.88 metre Zodiac Milpro boat and emergency equipment including PPE, wetsuits, lifejackets and spinal board.
Marine Rescue Brunswick Unit Commander Jonathan Wilcock said the support of the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation is greatly appreciated.
“Brunswick 10 is a valuable asset for the community in our mission of saving lives on the water.
“We are now able to get into areas we never thought we would be able to get a boat into.
“This vessel allows our volunteers to access small, shallow creeks and areas that were flooded last year,” Mr Wilcock said.
Members of the Brunswick unit underwent specialised induction and training before undertaking rescue operations on BR 10.
“One of its first missions was to assist two adults and two children whose 4.4 metre open runabout had broken down on Simpsons Creek at Brunswick Heads.
“With a large runout tide, volunteers on BR 10 towed the disabled vessel from shallow water back up the Brunswick River to the Ferry Reserve Caravan Park boat ramp,” Mr Wilcock said.
Brunswick 10 is powered by a 25hp Suzuki outboard engine and is lightweight, transportable and highly maneuverable allowing the
vessel to be quickly and easily transported to where it is needed. Mr Wilcock said the vessel is also approved for aircraft transport.
“It can be packed into a large bag and deployed where it’s needed which will be beneficial in the event our volunteers need to assist with flooding or emergencies in other regions,” he said.
We are now able to get into areas we never thought we would be able to get a boat into.
Afterbeing postponed due to COVID restrictions, the NSW Police and Emergency Services Games returned in October, and were held in the New South Wales coastal city of Wollongong. The games featured over 30 sports, with axe throwing added
as a new sport this year. Competitors could also choose from more conventional sports such as golf, athletics, tennis and cycling, with the purpose of the games to foster a healthy lifestyle, promote teamwork and build inter-service cooperation and understanding.
Over five days of competition, the games united members from diverse emergency services organisations across the state, and despite the ongoing flood emergency, there was strong representation from eligible agencies including NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW State Emergency
the games united members from diverse emergency service organisations across the state“ “
Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Sheriff’s Office and, of course, Marine Rescue NSW.
The small Marine Rescue NSW contingent performed exceptionally well in the State games, bringing home two golds and two silvers, as well as lots of happy memories and new friendships.
After being postponed in 2022, the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games took place in New Zealand in March. Chris Dando from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage made the trip across the ditch to compete in the 2km swim event at Lake Tikkapu in Rotorua.
Chris was sitting in third place for most of the race before coming from behind to win against some very strong competition.
Chris, a skipper, vessel master and well respected member of Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage, is planning on participating in the next Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games, to be held in Hobart in 2025.
DARTS
Silver: Matt Sims (SHQ) and Bob Berg (RFS Temora)
Men’s doubles
Fourth: Matt Sims (SHQ) Men’s singles
GOLF
Fifth: Adrian Adam (SHQ) and Matt Sims (SHQ)
Men’s pairs two ball Ambrose.
Paired with two representatives from NSW Ambulance, Warwick Mordun and Aaron Beavis
Adrian Adam – nearest the pin (4.2 metres on the 5th hole)
SURFING
Gold: Seamas Graeme-Cook (MR Brunswick).
Men’s under 40s.
Silver: Leo Dewitte (MR Brunswick). Men’s under 40.
Gold: Brad Whittaker (SHQ) Men’s Open Longboard.
SWIMMING
Gold: Chris Dando (MR Lemon Tree Passage). 65-69 age group 2km swim.
Congratulations
to all the competitors.
Weat Marine Rescue NSW are incredibly saddened by the loss of Randall Gawne, Zone Duty Operations Manager Mid North Coast, who passed away in October 2022.
Randall joined Marine Rescue NSW in 2016, after a long career in policing. In 2021, Randall was presented with a National Medal - Second Clasp, in recognition of his 35 years of diligent service to protect and assist the community.
Throughout his time with Marine Rescue NSW, Randall’s unwavering commitment to helping the community was demonstrated not only in his role as Zone Duty Operations Manager, he was also a member of Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, where he volunteered his time to help save lives on the water.
Randall had many valuable friendships in the Service and will be greatly missed by his colleagues, both on and off the water.
Twomembers of Marine Rescue Alpine Lakes have been recognised for their selfless commitment to saving lives on the water.
In March 2021, Marine Rescue Alpine Lakes were tasked to assist with flood relief and evacuations during the flood emergency on the Colo River.
Crew Member Phillip Brown and Unit Commander and Leading Crew Member Cain Hopwood were on board rescue vessel Alpine Lakes 21 when it capsized after encountering a low telecommunications cable in fast flowing water.
Phillip Brown was awarded with a Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage in recognition of his brave act of rescuing a woman and her two young children who had been caught under the hull of the vessel.
Cain Hopwood was presented with a Commissioner’s Citation in recognition of his meritorious service. Despite being thrown into the water as the vessel rolled, Cain did all he could in difficult circumstances to ensure all people on board were recovered and safely evacuated.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteer Lynne Hocking has been appointed the Shoalhaven unit’s first female Deputy Unit Commander.
Hocking was appointed to the position earlier this year by recently retired Unit Commander Bruce Mitchell and newly promoted Unit Commander Martin Kaye.
“I’m proud to take on the role, it’s an honour to be the unit’s first female Deputy Unit Commander,” she said.
Kaye said he was delighted to have Hocking as his deputy.
“We have worked together in the unit for three years.
“I am proud to have a female Deputy Unit Commander and seeing the increase of women joining the Shoalhaven unit,” Kaye said.
Hocking is excited to be supporting Kaye in her new role.
“We’re a good balanced team, I can handle the admin and fundraising while Marty is very operationally strong, he knows the vessels and I know radio communications.
“I respect him very much and enjoy working with him,” she said.
Hocking joined Marine Rescue Shoalhaven in early 2020 following a 35-year marketing career.
“I think if there’s two things that got me through Covid and transitioning into retirement, it’s my love of fishing and Marine Rescue NSW,” she said.
Hocking began as a radio operator with Marine Rescue NSW before earning qualifications as crew and watch officer.
The 60-year-old is currently training for senior crew rating and has been mentored by the Illawarra region’s only female Unit Commander, Sussex Inlet’s Karen Lowry.
“Karen is an exceptional role model and a great go to person whenever I need clarification,” Hocking said.
“I helped Karen run the inaugural Southern Zone Empowering Women Forum last September which assists females volunteering with Marine Rescue NSW,” she said.
Hocking said that Illawarra Zone Commander Mike Hammond is also a champion for Marine Rescue NSW’s female volunteers.
This year’s Empowering Women’s Forum will be held in Batemans Bay in August.
It was a privilege to be asked to take on the role and great acknowledgement of my love of the Shoalhaven unit“Assisting communities in the Riverina during the 2022 flood deployment. Training to become Senior Crew.
OnFebruary 25, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade returned to Oxford Street for the first time since 2019.
A contingent of close to 30 volunteers, staff, family and friends came together to send a strong and vibrant message of inclusivity, diversity and respect.
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Jackson, Botany Port Hacking, Broken Bay and Cottage Point added splashes of rainbow to their blues and built not one, but two boats, for the journey along Oxford Street.
Broken Bay Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga, participating in his third parade, led our colourful crew along the parade route.
“Our organisation is based on the acceptance of all people from all walks of life who wish to volunteer to become on-water first responders with the mission of saving lives on the water for their communities.
“Participating in the Mardi Gras allows us to demonstrate our organisation’s values of inclusiveness and respect for others while
having a really good time with colleagues, friends, and families,” Arteaga said.
The rescue vessel crew of Marine Rescue Middle Harbour member Chris Mayers, Marine Rescue Cottage Point member John Bensley and Headquarters IT Support Officer Matt Sims successfully pulled off a few tricky vessel maneuvers while former Media Manager Phil Campbell kept the crowds entertained with his outstanding performance as a stranded sailor in the rainbowthemed distressed vessel - the newest addition to the Mardi Gras fleet.
Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking member Kumar Jha participated in the parade to support LGBTQI+ communities.
“Everyone has the right to live happily. There should be equality everywhere. I enjoyed seeing happiness and energy everywhere.” Jha said.
Our participation in the parade is a reflection of Marine Rescue NSW’s commitment to ensuring everyone feels welcome and supported in our organisation.
Members maintaining our commitment to building our vessels in NSW.
Queen Pantene came to our rescue.
Marine Rescue NSW is encouraging women to volunteer at their local base with Sydney’s Port Jackson unit now having the agency’s first regular all-female crew while a group of incredible women has been assembled at Jervis Bay to operate the unit’s lead vessel off Huskisson for the very first time.
Since being appointed Port Jackson Unit Commander in 2017, Greg Urand dreamed of assembling Marine Rescue NSW’s first ever all-female crew and with the enthusiasm of volunteers Julie Barkworth, Sophie Baker and Nicole Bowden, the dream became a reality in January this year.
“It’s been my goal to have an all-female crew, we’ve finally achieved it, it’s something I am very proud of,” Urand said.
“Julie put her hand up when we were looking for a female Master and she was determined to achieve it.”
Barkworth joined the Port Jackson unit in October 2020 and became qualified as leading crew at the beginning of the year, paving the way to head up an all-female crew.
“Julie, Sophie and Nicole are amazing,” Urand said.
“They’re very strong women in their professions and joined the
unit with minimal boating experience.
“Sophie was our youngest member ever, joining the unit at just 18, she drove a boat and said you’ve got me for life,” Urand said.
“They have worked incredibly hard to go through all the training and achieve their goals,” the Unit Commander said.
The Port Jackson all-female crew also has two trainees and is rostered for duty once a month.
Just over 25 per cent of Marine Rescue NSW’s 3,235 volunteers across NSW are female with the agency encouraging more women to get involved in its mission of saving lives on the water.
Marine Rescue NSW offers a variety of volunteer positions and training from coxswain, crew, radio operations and fundraising.
On the state’s South Coast, the Jervis Bay unit recently assembled its first ever all-female crew for a patrol and marine drill exercise to mark International Women’s Day.
Experienced sailor Jean Cane was Master on board JB 41 with crew members Fran Koster, Janet Boardman, Cheryl Fogarty and Kristy Jones.
Cane said it was a great experience to showcase the unit’s
strength and hopes it inspires more women to join Marine Rescue NSW.
“It just shows other women out there that they can join and they’ll get full support from every member.
“The males in the base, everybody in the base have helped train me as a female on the crew.
“People give a lot of time, they get out there at weekends and do extra time at night.
“We have a very supportive bunch of people, you’ll always get help when you’re going through your training, it’s great,” Cane said.
Illawarra Zone Duty Operations Manager Stuart Massey was in awe of the women who crewed Jervis Bay 41.
“It’s a complex boat and the women handled it without any problems whatsoever. It’s always impressive to see a group of women on the water like that volunteering to save lives,” he said.
Massey said Marine Rescue NSW offers the same opportunities for all volunteers.
“Whether that be on the boats, whether that be in the radio room or whether that be helping us with fundraising, the more people we have in there the safer the mariners of NSW will be,” he said.
“I would encourage women to get involved with Marine Rescue NSW, it gives them the opportunity to get out on the water, help other people if the need arises and even look at an opportunity to progress a maritime career,” Massey said.
In January we farewelled Media Manager Phil Campbell as he sailed off into retirement.
After working for the Bureau of Meteorology during the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20, Phil came on board at Marine Rescue NSW in October 2020. While juggling a new workplace and the restrictions of Covid created challenges, finding new ways to keep the ship sailing in difficult times was also a highlight for Phil.
inclusive content. He worked alongside members of Marine Rescue Jervis Bay to produce boating safety messages in Auslan for the Deaf Community.
Working with our exceptional volunteers and staff is something that Phil will fondly remember.
“After working at the Bureau of Meteorology, it was pleasing to find myself in another organisation filled with great people and a good culture,” he said.
While many of us would look at retirement as a time to enjoy life at a slower pace, Phil has other plans. He is undertaking a PhD in Climate Science at the University of Canberra. After completing a Research Masters in Geography in the 1990s, Phil’s long standing interest in the topic took a back seat with his young children and career taking priority, until now.
Reflecting on the last few years, Phil spoke of the joy and satisfaction he got from raising the profile of our organisation through shows such as Sunrise, Today and The Morning Show.
“Another highlight was working with members of Marine Rescue Port Jackson and the film production crew on Harbour Force and showcasing the expertise of our members internationally to a potential audience of over 100 million people,” he said.
Phil was also the driving force behind the creation of more
He has quickly settled back into university life, recently beating lecturers and fellow students in a drinking game.
“The game involved holding a filled jug out in front with a straight arm, I beat students more than half my age without having to consume a drop,” he said.
Phil’s calm, balanced and supportive nature will be greatly missed, along with his ability to craft a story in the time it takes to make a cuppa.
Former Soundings editor on journey to become Dr Phil New
Phil’s calm, balanced and supportive nature will be greatly missed, along with his ability to craft a story in the time it takes to make a cuppa.“ “Regular visits to the Snowy Mountains are one of the perks of Phil’s course.
Fieldwork on a blue sky day.
Rescue NSW volunteer members and staff from 10 units took part in the NSW State Emergency Service led ‘Who Let The Boats Out?’ exercise earlier this year.
The annual exercise now in its third year focusses on vessel response capability and management through professional development and scenario activities.
More than 100 boats and volunteers from the NSW SES, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, Surf Life Saving NSW and VRA Rescue NSW hit the state’s waterways for the operational readiness exercise.
‘Who Let The Boats Out?’ also builds inter-agency relationships in supporting the SES’s flood operation response capability.
Marine Rescue NSW Manager Capability Dave Bowing said that more than two dozen MRNSW volunteers accepted an invitation from NSW SES to take part in the exercise and enjoyed the opportunity to rub shoulders with other first responders.
“It was very much a mutually beneficial day to understand vessel and operating differences across various environments and scenarios,” he said.
Bowing said inter-agency comradery and respect was evident across the state and that MRNSW members made the most of the opportunity to get on board SES vessels.
“Exercises like ‘WLTBO’ improve working relationships, build agency partnerships and deliver improved safety for all involved by sharing each agencies’ practices and experiences.
“Our members gain a better understanding of SES operations, which is valuable for when they’re called on to assist during a crisis, like providing surge capacity or fatigue management relief for their members and resources in large scale events,” Bowing said.
Planning is underway for the fourth edition of ‘Who let the boats out?’ next year.
One of the many NSW SES boats involved in the exercise. Port Jackson volunteers working alongside NSW SES.
Agroup of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and staff have had a taste of the NSW State Emergency Service’s land based swiftwater awareness training as part of Marine Rescue NSW’s cross-agency training endeavour to enhance cooperation between Emergency Services.
12 months after assisting with the devastating Northern NSW floods, Marine Rescue Brunswick Unit Commander Jonathan Wilcock and Coxswain/RWC operator Wayne Lewis were back in fast flowing water but this time in a controlled training environment at Penrith’s Whitewater Stadium.
The North Coast duo were among the six strong Marine Rescue NSW contingent who joined participants from the NSW State Emergency Service and Surf Life Saving NSW for the SES’s level one land based swiftwater awareness training.
Mr Wilcock said the purpose of the awareness training is to make rescuers aware of what can happen around floodwater and how to navigate their way out of trouble in the water.
“It opened my eyes up to all the things that could go wrong around you during a rescue situation.
“Whether it be yourself, a member of your team, a rescuer from another agency or a member of the public.
“It was extremely valuable training,” Mr Wilcock said.
The Brunswick Unit Commander said being thrown into the controlled environment at Penrith brought back memories of the
power of the water during the Northern NSW floods in February and March last year.
“The last time I saw water like that was during the 2022 floods when the Brunswick River was raging.
“Being thrown into the whitewater centre in a controlled environment is different but it reminded me of the power of the water during the floods,” he said.
The focus of the level one training was teaching rescuers about knowing the danger zones, how to get out of fast flowing water, correct PPE and how to use various equipment.
Sussex Inlet volunteers Ben Hill and Brett Eurell also took part in the training with the South Coast pair agreeing that it highlighted the importance of teamwork.
“It was wonderful to work alongside other agency members and achieve a common goal.
“In that environment teamwork is crucial,” Mr Hill said
With the Sussex Inlet community at the mercy of mother nature during heavy rain and abnormally high tides Mr Hill said he will now be more aware of the hazards and dangers in floodwater.
“I’ve seen many of the streets in Sussex under water in recent years and this training will make us even more prepared for when future weather events happen,” he said.
Marine Rescue NSW General Manager Training and Capability Brad Whittaker said Marine Rescue NSW’s swiftwater awareness
involvement is one of many inter-agency training initiatives for 2023.
“It’s part of our desire to work collaboratively with other agencies.
“It’s essential that we work cohesively with our emergency service partners and events like this are an excellent opportunity to ensure that when we’re called upon to support people in NSW we can do so efficiently and effectively,” Mr Whittaker said.
The Brunswick Unit Commander said his experience at Penrith’s
Whitewater Stadium highlighted participants’ personal limitations.
“It provided a thorough understanding of how far you can push yourself in certain emergency situations,” he said.
Mr Wilcock said he will use learnings from the course while on duty with Marine Rescue NSW on the state’s North Coast.
“The training will assist us greatly in any fast flowing water situation like bar incidents.
“We have many instances when we are tasked to rescue people in dangerous situations especially when the tide is moving,” he said.
Severalmembers from across the state have attended Trauma Care Workshops delivered by CareFlight Community Education. The inclusive, multi-agency program, designed specifically for emergency services, addresses trauma management should a member be called to a trauma incident, or be first on scene.
The hands-on workshop builds skills, knowledge, confidence and resilience and aims to improve health outcomes and speed of recovery.
Zone Training Manager Central Jane Shirriff said the workshops, which are facilitated by clinicians that deal with pre-hospital trauma, build on the existing first aid qualifications of our members.
“As a Registered Training Organisation, Marine Rescue NSW provides members with high quality first aid training to equip them with the skills needed to perform their vital role. The CareFlight Trauma Care Workshops elevate our members skills
to the next level enabling them to deliver pre-hospital trauma management if first on scene, providing further support to their local community” she said.
Enhancing our members' knowledge, skills and expertise in emergency operations through continued cross-agency exercises is one of the key focus areas of the current Marine Rescue NSW strategic plan.
Planning for this year will see our members and staff training with numerous agencies including the NSW Police Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, NSW State Emergency Service, Surf Life Saving Australia, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Already in 2023 Marine Rescue NSW members have been on the water with the NSW SES reviewing their swiftwater and land based flood rescue courses, in the water with the NSW Ambulance Special Operations Team completing scenario training and above the water with Toll Rescue Helicopter crews practicing patient transfer.
The six NSW Ambulance Special Operations Team sessions were held at MRNSW State Headquarters and provided their members the opportunity to participate in annual in-water proficiency skills prior to undertaking a challenging rescue scenario with MRNSW craft and radio operators. The scenario achieved its primary goal of enhancing our cross-agency, knowledge, teamwork and preparedness.
means three colours blue and in mid-January Narooma’s Apex boat ramp was engulfed with a sea of blue Marine Rescue NSW uniforms.
The migration was for Marine Rescue Narooma’s Annual Open Day, and the entire Unit turned out as we took over the boat ramp and surrounding area.
It was a great day to showcase the equipment and personnel that make Marine Rescue Narooma such a professional organisation.
Weather wise it was another beautiful day with over 2,000 people coming to see the rescue craft, information trailer and safety demonstrations.
The flare demonstration was very popular with all ages, and illustrated how effective the handheld smoke and illumination devices can be.
Both rescue vessels, Narooma 30 and Narooma 20 were on display, with lots of willing crew on hand to enthusiastically explain every aspect of the vessels.
Many families also checked out the jet ski’s along with Ian’s now famous information trailer and marque while Chef Darrin provided the best BBQ in town.
Narooma has approximately 45 members, and also has one of the most dangerous bars in NSW, so the interaction
with the public was priceless. Our radio operators and boat crew made the most of the face-to-face opportunity to deliver our safe boating messages.
Many boat owners spoke about the challenges the bar sometimes presents with recent events highlighting the need for boaters to always respect both the bar and conditions.
Natural disasters, wild weather, Covid and a record number of rescues have all had an impact on our Service. As we look back at the past two years, we're thankful to the generosity of so many in the community that have provided support to our volunteers and units during the most challenging times we have ever experienced.
Our volunteer units rely heavily on donations to continue their work saving lives on water. Demand for our marine search, rescue and communication service has grown and at the same time, the cost of providing our services is increasing. Volunteer time is valuable, and fundraising takes a great amount of commitment and energy, on top of the normal 24/7 rescue work our units undertake.
Everyone has seen the price of fuel, insurance and essential services rising. With local units responsible for raising funds to cover their day to day running costs, these increased costs are putting additional pressure on our volunteers.
Did you know that a simple three hour rescue to tow a boat back to shore can cost close to $400 in fuel alone. While a routine engine service to keep our vessels rescue ready sets a unit back $2,000.
Unlike the majority of the state’s emergency services, Marine Rescue NSW is not a Government agency but an independent organisation established by and for its volunteer membership.
Marine Rescue NSW is a not-for-profit registered charity, which means gifts of two dollars or more are tax deductible for the donor. You may wish to include Marine Rescue NSW as part of your End of Financial Year Giving. Please go to marinerescuensw.com.au and hit the donate button today!
Major search and rescue over a number of days involving many units
Therewere no directors’ chairs on Shoalhaven 30 in late February but the crew played a dual role as the community took part in the new Nowra Bridge walk ahead of its official opening to traffic.
A song penned and voiced by radio 2ST breakfast show host Glenn Stolzenhein and featuring 2006 Australian Idol winner Damien Leith captured the imagination of the Shoalhaven community.
“The new bridge is a big deal for the Shoalhaven,” Stolzenhein said.
“It’s been a huge news story for such a long time and we needed something special to mark the occasion.
“I’ve watched the progress of the bridge and interviewed all the different people involved in its construction but when it came to the opening, I wanted to be creative and do something special,” Stolzenhein told Soundings.
The radio 2ST host enjoys belting out a tune but he’s also not too proud to admit that he needed a professional to help him complete the song.
“I found some music to write the lyrics to which took about half an hour to get down on paper, it just flowed.
“Once I smashed out the raw version I realised I needed some help from my old mate Damien Leith.
“The bridge is a $342 million project, it deserves to be celebrated but after the first version of the song I needed to go big and Damien was the man to make that happen,” Stolzenhein said.
Leith shot to fame in 2006 when he beat multiple ARIA award winner Jessica Mauboy in the fourth season of Australian Idol and became friends with Stolzenhein when they were paired together to host the 2NM breakfast show in the Upper Hunter.
“We’ve done a few songs together before and it was great to have the former Idol winner involved with this,” Stolzenhein said.
Leith told Soundings that Stolzenhein oozes energy and he enjoys helping him channel his creativity.
“I had no idea that he was trying to create a song about the new Nowra Bridge but as soon as I found out I knew I had to help him, he’s a good mate.
“Stolzy is an extremely passionate person and whenever he
gets behind something it’s always a success,” Leith said.
The former Idol winner said Stolzenhein had a very clear vision of what the song was going to sound like.
“He sent me an initial draft and I knew the bones were there, it just needed a little bit of finessing.
“The song opens up with an anthemic message, it’s something that makes people want to jump up and get involved,” he said.
Leith delivered the opening lyrics before Stolzenhein injected himself into the song.
“I thought I would sing that part and then took all of Stolzy’s vocals and mixed them.
“I added a little bit of colour with effects and together I think we created something pretty amazing just like the bridge,” said Leith.
With the song sorted, Stolzenhein said a callout to the community to get involved with the film clip was answered by many including the crew at Marine Rescue Shoalhaven.
“I asked our listeners to get involved in the video shoot on the bridge but when Marine Rescue NSW came on board I knew it was going to make the film clip even more special.
“We had all the people walking on the bridge but nothing from the river.
“The Marine Rescue Shoalhaven crew solved that problem by offering to take some vision for us from their boat.
Marine Rescue Shoalhaven Deputy Unit Commander Lynne Hocking assembled a crew to keep an eye on the river during the public walk event.
“It was good timing that we could also help out Stolzy, he’s all about community and so are we at Marine Rescue Shoalhaven,” Hocking said.
Shoalhaven 30 kept watch on the waterway and captured Stolzenhein singing and dancing his way across the eastern footpath.
“We did our best to capture Stolzy’s moves while we made sure those on the water were safe because close to the bridge is still a construction zone,” Hocking said.
Stolzenhein was stoked with the video delivered by the crew of SA 30.
“It gave the video clip even more impact, made the occasion more special.
“Two thumbs up for the Shoalhaven crew, if I had a third hand, I’d give them three,” he said.
While Stolzenhein’s bridge song will remain a permanent reminder of the historic public bridge walk, the volunteer crew of SA 30 marked the occasion by spraying the water cannon.
“You could hear the excitement on the bridge every time we sprayed the cannon, especially the kids, they loved it,” Hocking said.
Work is still continuing on the Nowra Bridge project with it expected to be completed mid-next year.
Held in February, the Marine Rescue Tuross Moruya charity golf day attracted a huge amount of support from local businesses in the form of hole sponsorship and items that were auctioned during the post tournament dinner.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos and Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell participated in the event, hosted by Moruya Golf Club, alongside Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips, Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland and Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Mathew Hatcher.
In March, Marine Rescue Batemans Bay’s inaugural charity golf day drew more than 100 golfers onto the fairways at Catalina Golf Club. An impressive team effort from more than 25 members of Marine Rescue Batemans Bay helped secure sponsorship, auction items, media coverage and advertising for the event.
The post tournament dinner was attended by more than 80 guests including retired Air Vice Marshall Peter Criss and Julie Criss, Retired Air Commodore and former Air Attaché to Australia’s Embassy in Washington, David Steele, CSC, Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Marine Rescue NSW Zone Commander South, Mike Hammond.
While the events raised essential funds for both units, they also, more importantly, enabled unit members to form closer relationships with supporting businesses and locals who
participated in the events.
The money raised will help Marine Rescue Batemans Bay and Tuross Moruya keep their boats fueled and rescue ready.
Marine Rescue NSW receives financial support from the NSW Government and the boating community however our organisation also relies on the fundraising efforts of our volunteers to support the vital, life-saving service we provide to the
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