Round the World - again
Just shows what can be accomplished by two incredible guys (Whitworth & Crozier) in an old 33ft Boat (Joubert, 1977 build).
…. Australia to the UK via Alaska and the North West Passage (the first to do so?)
March 2010 Calendar
Bookings essential!
To register, or for further information, please call the Radio Base on 4971 3498
Mon 1, 1830
Essential Shipboard Safety theory (Members only)
Tue 9, 1900
Flotilla Meeting (Members Only)
Wed 10 - Thu 11, 0800
First Aid (Members only)
Mon 15 - Wed 17, 1830
MROCP - Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency
Wed 17 Mar 10, 0900
Practical boat training (Members only)
Thu 18 & Tue 23, 1830
MROVCP - Radio Licence: 2 Night intensive for the public
Fri 19 - Sun 21
Inaugural Lakefest 2010 www.lakefest.com.au
Mon 22 - Tue 23, 1830
MROCP continued
Thu 25, 1000
Executive Meeting
Wed 31, 1830
Monthly social at Belmont Golf Club (RSVP to J Magrie)
Starting on 12 April - a 9 week full Coastal Navigation course, open to all.
A Rose By Any Other Name
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
You will have noticed over the last few months a few different call signs being used by the various volunteer groups looking after the maritime communities.
For decades we’ve been called ‘Coast Guard Swansea’ and, for those passing through offshore & SARC, ‘VMR Swansea’.
With machinations taking place to amalgamate the services, or whatever the boffins want to call it, in mid-January 2010 we started using ‘VMR Swansea’ exclusively and then in February the local callsign of ‘Marine Rescue Swansea’ was implemented by the former Coast Guard. Our colleagues at Coastal Patrol have also morphed into Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie.
Obviously this has caused a bit of confusion for both the boating public and radio operators alike, however, please be assured that - as always - if you call, we are listening and will respond!
Also, keep an eye out for the new uniforms: royal blue with illuminous ‘Marine Rescue’ emblazoned across them and the wet weather/night kit is a not-to-be-missed illuminous yellow.
Interactive Navigation Tool
NSW Maritime has recently launched an interactive navigation tool, which can be found at:
http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/vessel_navigation_tool/nav_home.html
…. go on, test yourself!
Handy Hint
Whilst you can spend a variable number of dollars ($17-35) for a water proof case for your mobile phone etc, why not try this simple and inexpensive idea, from P Jenkins of Merimbula and first published in “Soundings” (Dec 09) …
seal your phone in a zip lock bag, the type available from supermarkets.
Depending on the design of the phone it can be used without opening the bag - converstaion is still able to be heard by both parties.
and whilst you’re at it, program the number for VMR Swansea into the quick dial: 02 4971 3498...
Even if you’re not in our area we can relay any request for assistance to the closest base.
Why you should “log on”
The following excerpt is from an article published in “Soundings” the magazine of Marine Rescue NSW (Dec 09). It has been abbreviated for this site.
At 0600 a 6m recreational fishing vessel, “U”, left Port with 3 persons on board for a days fishing with an ETR of 1600. They answered both the 0900 and 1300 skeds as arranged, reporting no change.
At 1600 when U failed to advise its return to Port, attempts were made to contact the vessel. This proved unsuccessful and at 1630 it was declared an overdue vessel and appropriate procedures were initiated, including the dispatch of a rescue vessel.
At 2130 after 2 hours steaming the rescue vessel arrived at the approximate last known location. After 15 minutes the skipper reported seeing ‘a small red light’ in the distance so proceeded in that direction and turned the spot light on - to find U lying side-on, completely awash with three persons in the water.
At 2150 they were found after capsizing at 1430 - that’s 7 hours 20 minutes in the water for the crew. They had DRIFTED 13.5nm at an average speed of 1.8knots from their original location.
This highlights the vital importance of logging-on with your local Marine Rescue unit each and every time you are on the water. This is a FREE service and takes only a few minutes of your time.
(NB Vessel EPIRBS are mandatory when travelling more than 2nm offshore and individual EPIRBS are highly recommended.)
Crossing The Bar
In ‘Afloat’ magazine (Oct 2009), Malcolm Riley of the Bureau of Meteorology in Hobart, wrote an illuminating piece on crossing river bars. The link is here for your reference: we recommend you read it then read it again:
http://www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/2009/october-2009/Weather
With thanks to Malcom for approval to relay his always informative articles.
LOCAL LOG ON
One of the services Coast Guard offers local boaties is a “log on” service. You simply give some information to the Coast Guard including your launch time and estimated time of return and we keep a check for your safe return. IF you don’t log off with us (call us to let us know you’re back) we firsty try and contact you, failing that we’ll try your emergency shore contact and, if we still haven’t heard from you, we then alert Water Police who give direction, which may include commencing a search for you and your vessel.
For solo boaties we recommend you radio/call us each hour you are out to let us know all is still well. It’s not an imperative but shortens any response time should something go wrong when you’re alone.
Following is the information Coast Guard will request when you log on with us. Should something go wrong this all helps toward the search and rescue co-ordination.
AVCGA SWANSEA - LOCAL LOG ON REGISTRATION
DAY: …………………… DATE: ….. / ….. / 2…. TIME: ….. : …..
VESSEL NAME / CALL SIGN
VESSEL REGISTRATION
PEOPLE ON BOARD
MOBILE PHONE ON BOARD & CONTACG NAME
SHORE CONTACT NAME & PHONE:
VESSEL TYPE: VESSEL LENGTH:
HULL COLOUR: SUPERSTRUCTURE:
LAUNCH LOCATION:
DESTINATION:
ESTIMATED TIME OF RETURN: …… : ……
IF GOING OFFSHORE, DO YOU NEED A BRIDGE BOOKING? Y / N
IF YES: OUTGOING TIME …… : ….. RETURNING FOR ….. : …..
Please supply this information to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Swansea
BEFORE YOU START your journey. This can be done by:
a) emailing: fao.nf9@coastguard.com.au
b) faxing: 02 4972 1088
c) phoning: 02 4971 3498
d) radioing: VMR Swansea
so print this off, complete it and get it to your friendly Coast Guard!
Safe Boating!
Flotilla Monthly Dinner
Swansea Flotilla Members and their partners are invited to attend a monthly social dinner held at Belmont Golf Club. The next dinner will be held on 25 November. RSVP closed 17/11/09. This event is co-ordinated by J Margrie, so please contact him if you would like to attend future dinners.
Rathmines Catalina Festival
As reported by D Keegan
On 25 October, Volunteer Marine Rescue Swansea Flotilla NF9 again attended the annual Catalina Festival. What a great day! The weather was perfect, our stall allocation and position first class within a very well organised event (full compliments to the Festival organisers).
The day began at 0630 hrs with A Jones loading his 4 wheel drive then proceeding to Rathmines, erecting the gazebo and displaying our pamphlets plus items for sale before being called upon to help erect a tent for some very distressed ladies: A Jones in command plus a number of VMR experts giving talented advice as to how to proceeded — third go successful! How proud were we of our training obviously displayed in coordinated confusion: still persistence and calm cooperation eventually produced success.
Our team from VMR Swansea excelled in attendance and performance. We all had great fun day in explaining our role in volunteer search and rescue to the public and, at the same time endeavouring to encourage the public to purchase product we had on offer for fund raising (over $91). R Cowdrey accepted from a vessel owner at least one amount of $15 as a donation in gratitude for VMRS continued generous assistance to him and his boating … He also promised to give a further substantial gift of money to our Radio Base and said he would deliver his cheque in person.
Interest in Coast Guard was strongly evident especially in the number of people who have asked to have membership applications sent to them: we had 11 enthusiastic persons eager to become active in VMR Swansea (Membership of $44.00 no Problem). We also had one firm Associate Membership enquiry and two MROCP commitments with a strong chance of them becoming full members.
Our Commander N Grieves plus his crew T Milton, D Alderton & N McBernie arrived on CG091 to support our land-based team and they injected extra motivation in our effort to promote VMR Swansea.
All volunteers in attendance were full of eagerness and commitment to show off to the public how VMRS serves the boating community, as well as our great need for funds to continue this service.
The day finished with A Jones again assisting some distressed ladies with their flat car battery: his jumper leads starting the engine much to their relief. Then an aircraft in difficulty with broken propeller tips caused by birds or something where A Jones produced from his wondrous kit some duct tape for the owner to repair his Sea Ray Aircraft propellers allowing him to return home to Bankstown.
In summery a fruitful day putting VMRS name out there a day enjoyed by our participation & thanks again to all involved.
