MAKING WAVES Hunter/Central Coast News
New Steel City rescue asset shows its mettle Unit Commander happiest man in NSW at helm of Newcastle Naiad.
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arine Rescue Newcastle’s new $535,000 vessel arrived in the Steel City on May 19 and it wasn’t long before it was out on its new home waters. Newcastle 30, a 10m Naiad, was built by Yamba Welding & Engineering on the Northern Rivers. The vessel performed strongly in its sea trials on the Clarence River and offshore and we are confident it will prove a powerful and reliable new rescue asset on our local waterways: the Hunter River, Newcastle Harbour and offshore. After being trucked down the Pacific Highway, the vessel was gently lowered into the water at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, where its predecessor, the retiring NC 30, is berthed. Unit Commander Ron Calman, Bill Johnston and Rick Nevile soon had the new vessel out for its first spin, accompanied by MRNSW Fleet Manager Kelvin Parkin and Hunter/ Central Coast Regional Operations Manager Steve Raymond. Mr Raymond rated the Unit Commander the happiest man in all of NSW as he took the helm. Crew members are undergoing their induction and familiarisation before the vessel enters service. The unit’s Kevlacat workhorse has completed a range of operations before its looming retirement.
Newcastle 30, a 10m Naiad, ready for its sea trials before its delivery south from Yamba to the Steel City.
Late on March 27, NC 30 was activated to rescue an 11m yacht with a solo sailor on board that had run out of fuel 3nm off Bar Beach. It was safely towed to Carrington. In an another evening operation on April 26, the boat’s crew was activated to rescue four people on board a 5.3m half-cabin runabout with engine failure. The vessel was located about 250m off the Big Ben Reef and successfully towed to the North Stockton ramp. In mid-April, unit member Dianne Hammond was presented with her Radio Operator certificate. Dianne is a stalwart of the unit,
who is always prepared to help when necessary. In other developments, MRNSW Headquarters is liaising with local
and government agencies in relation to plans for a new base for the unit on the Stockton riverfront. Terry Reynolds
Guess which is his favourite ... MR Newcastle UC Ron Calman surveys the new NC 30, dwarfed by HMAS Sydney.
Crewman lost overboard from bulk carrier
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large scale air and sea search was mounted for a crew member lost overboard from a bulk carrier off the Hunter coastline on April 15. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Toll Ambulance Rescue and Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service joined the operation. The Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie radio base broadcast all ships alerts for vessels in the region
to keep a lookout for the missing crewman. The 28-year-old man fell overboard from the Marshall Islandsflagged bulk carrier, MV Western Marine, about 7.40am, 27 nautical miles east of Tuggerah Lakes. Authorities held grave concerns for the man with a 2.5m swell in the vicinity of the ship. AMSA announced it had suspended search operations late
on the same day. “The decision is based on expert medical advice that the time frame for survival ended at last light today,” a statement from the agency said. “AMSA would like to express its sincere condolences to the family of the seafarer and their crew mates aboard the Western Marine.” AMSA thanked all search and rescue crews for their valiant efforts in searching more than 130 square
kilometres of ocean for any sign of the lost man. Crews included AMSA’s Challenger jet from Essendon, a NSW Ambulance Helicopter, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, a third helicopter from Camden and NSW Police vessels. The eight-year-old bulk carrier is 255m long and 43m wide. The ship was bound for Newcastle from Korea. SOUNDINGS | MARINE RESCUE NSW
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