THE HELM
From the Commissioner Rain fails to dampen busy summer on the water
Commissioner Stacey Tannos ESM
Commissioner Tannos with Minister Cooke at a media conference on safe boating at Marine Rescue State Headquarters in April.
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nother boating season has come to an end, and despite a record wet summer and lingering COVID restrictions, the number of rescues conducted by Marine Rescue NSW members has remained on track to match or exceed the record annual total from 2020-21. Over the boating season from 1 October to ANZAC Day, 2,800 rescues were performed, many in potentially life-endangering situations, with our members showing great skill, commitment and dedication in bringing 6,433 people including 664 children and 67 pets safely back to shore. To all our members, whether crewing a vessel, manning a radio or undertaking one of the many other vital tasks needed to keep our bases running, please accept my sincere thanks for a job well done. As we review the numbers from the boating season, many boaters are seemingly still not getting the message about the importance of boating safety and preparedness. Taking the time to prepare your vessel, having the necessary safety equipment on board and boating safely when you do hit the water can make the difference between a great day out and a potentially lifeendangering emergency. Particularly frustrating are the number of preventable incidents such as engine failure (41%), flat
batteries (10%) and running out of fuel (9%), these accounting for 60% of all calls for help. While not of themselves serious, these incidents can quickly turn into a lifethreatening emergency if disabled vessels begin drifting towards rocks or other hazards, or skippers lose the ability to safely control their vessel. These numbers are a reminder of the importance of getting your vessel regularly serviced and taking the time to properly plan your day out on the water to minimise the likelihood of a serious incident occurring. Boating education is one way we can reduce the number of preventable call-outs our members receive. Recently our members
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real life scenarios and enable members to practice alongside their counterparts in other rescue agencies. Last year a new and more engaging SAREX format was trialled, with very positive feedback, and I encourage anyone offered the opportunity to participate. Finally, I’d like to take a moment to thank a true gentlemen of the service on the occasion of his retirement – or to be precise, second retirement. Bruce Mitchell finished work for the first time way back in 1998, but before too long, and very much to our benefit, found himself back in paid employment, as Illawarra Zone Duty Operations Manager. Bruce is a much respected figure in the Illawarra both within our
Together, we can help reduce the number of preventable incidents on our waterways and a build a safer boating community.
attended the Fire and Rescue NSW open day at Orchard Hills in Western Sydney, where our display was viewed by over 5,000 people; and in coming months we will be attending the Sydney International Boat Show, which is returning after a two year absence. I urge all our members to take the time to actively engage with their local community on boating safety, and to use their local media and unit social media pages to reinforce safety messaging. Together, we can help reduce the number of preventable incidents on our waterways and a build a safer boating community. With winter comes the opportunity to test existing skills, learn new ones and make new friendships at the annual series of Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREXs). These exercises simulate
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service and with our emergency service partners. Thank you Bruce for your past contribution to Marine Rescue NSW and your local community, and I look forward to hearing about your ongoing service with Marine Rescue Shoalhaven. Taking Bruce’s place as Zone Duty Operations Manager for the Illawarra is another familiar name, Stuart Massey, who until Bruce’s retirement was Zone Training Manager South. I’m sure many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting Stuart and will make him feel welcome in his new role. To close, I wish you all the best for the winter season, and to use this generally quieter time wisely to get ready for the busy warmer months that lay just around the corner. Stacey Tannos ESM Commissioner
