Hunter Central Coast News MAKING WAVES
Media campaign pays dividends for Lemon Tree Passage After dark training boosts crew skills
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media campaign by Unit Commander Steve Vautier during spring and summer imploring local and visiting boaters to be prepared has paid dividends, with a decrease in calls for assistance for mechanical breakdowns. As a result of less calls for assistance, there has been an increase in on water training during the last few months. Following a training review with members, night navigation on Port Stephens and its associated tributaries was identified as a priority, particularly as the mainly trainee crew had limited night navigation experience. A series of night time familiarisation and exercises were subsequently conducted on Port Stephens, the Karuah and Myall Rivers, and other tributaries. During the exercises the crew practiced recognising navigational marks by their light sequences and using the lead lights and sector lights for vessels entering Port Stephens from the sea. The crews took turns at
Members at the Anzac Day Service. Photo: Steve Vautier
navigating, steering by compass, providing information to the master and instructions to the helmsman. Navigational lights that were identified as not functioning correctly were recorded and reported to NSW Maritime. To further hone member skills, on 11 May a joint night time exercise was conducted with Marine Rescue Port Stephens. On a dark and rainy night, and with minimal information, a parallel search was conducted around the North Arm Cove area.
Most of the crew had limited experience in this type of operation and gained valuable experience in using radar, steering to compass bearings, and maintainence of track spacing and speed; gaining valuable knowledge and experience. Congratulations to Greg Fletcher who passed his Leading Crew assessment, and to Martyn Schroor, Matthew Clarke, Karla Kobitz and Carl Wolstenholme for passing their Crew assessment, and David Neale for passing his Radio Operator’s
assessment. Now that COVID restrictions have eased, Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage has been conducting regular weekend community engagement activities and sausage sizzles to raise money and to engage with the local community on boating preparation and safety on the water. These are set to continue over the winter and spring. Members also participated in the local ANZAC Day march. Mick Chubb
Marine Rescue Tuggerah named region’s best Unit’s exemplary impact recognised
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he members of Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes have been awarded the ‘Volunteer Team of the Year Award’ for the Central Coast, by Volunteering Central Coast during this year’s National Volunteer Week. Volunteering Central Coast is a not for profit organisation with a mission to enable community engagement, inclusion and growth through volunteering. The Volunteer Team of the Year Award is presented to a team who have made an exemplary voluntary contribution and who through their volunteering
has made a significant impact towards the Central Coast. The sixty members of Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes received the award for their ongoing role in assisting local boaters and other recreational waterway users. This assistance continued despite the pandemic, with the members of Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes also providing out of area assistance during the flood crisis. Congratulations to the Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes team. Bob Sutton
Unit Commander Bob Sutton receives the award on behalf of the unit. SOUNDINGS | MARINE RESCUE NSW
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