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.
SAREX (Search & Rescue Exercise)
In September, five Coast Guard members participated in a joint SAREX with other emergency services personnel. Following is an outline of the weekend, as reported by K Steel:
Saturday
A theory instruction was held at SES headquarters in Tighes Hill from 0830 hrs. to 1600 hrs and the element for instruction was Coastal SAR Datum Planning.
The session included the method of determining the search area based on information received, being able identify local area conditions prevailing, i.e. currents, winds and any navigational problems that may exist.
The number of assets ( boats, aircraft ) required was determined and a search grid established in a designated area, with visibility determining position of vessels in search sweep.
Charts of Port Stephens to Crowdy Head area were supplied and a theoretical SARCC base was established to locate a vessel overdue in the area. Documents were supplied to complete the scenario.
All information as received during the lecture was applied to the scenario and the attendees as listed formed a SARC group and obtained the required information to be able to deploy the required search group.
Sunday
A briefing was held at Newcastle Water Police Building at 0900 hrs: A scenario was set by Water Police indicating that two persons had gone overboard from a small fishing vessel in the Hunter River one person still in vessel.
Information received by occupant was that they could not identify the location as he was new to the area but could see large bridge in the distance, one person overboard had lifejacket other person last seen holding boat fender drifting away. No further communication from vessel.
One person from each rescue boat ( 7 ) was placed on Water Police vessel WP33 as a command group.
A member of Coastal Patrol Gosford was aboard CG091.
Command frequency was designated VHF #.
CG091 was tasked to proceed at speed in company with Coastal Patrol vessel HLB1 to Hexam bridge and begin sweep down river to harbour entrance. CG091 arrived at Hexam bridge at 1008 hrs and commenced sweep. The simulated bodies (other deployed vessels ) were located in the area adjacent to Stockton Bridge and transferred to WP33.
Instruction was radioed to all vessels to return to Water Police wharf and arrived at 1110 hrs.
De-briefing was held at Water Police building by Sgt. and WP vessel crew.
All members present were given the opportunity to have input as to the handling of the operation and a great deal of constructive comments were received and accepted as relevant by Water Police.
CG091 departed Water Police wharf at 1237 hrs. and arrived C.G. boatshed at 1315 hrs.
On way home CG091 assisted a vessel by escorting it into the CG boatshed pontoon and supplied them with a quantity of engine oil for which they were grateful.
CG091 crew stood down at approx. 1700 hrs.
Sailing Resource
You may care to have a look at this Website specialising in boaty things.
Something here I think for everyone (note it is an American site so nav items are not transferrable to Australia)
http://www.sailvision.net/
Flotilla Christmas Party
AVCGA Swansea’s Christmas BBQ will be held on December 12th, 1200 hours at the Swansea RSL Memorial Hall and Members of RV Coastal Patrol are invited to join us.
You need to bring all eating and drinking equipment, own drinks and a small gift each person for the Santa Bag (max $5, ladies bring a gift for a lady and gents a gift of for a gent).
For further info or RSVP call Rose and Brian Jackson or make sure your name is on the list at the radio base.
