Catherine Hill Bay Tradegdy
Although a shocking tragedy, the incident at Catherine Hill Bay last weekend is a primary focus of Marine Rescue’s work.
Our task last weekend was to sweep the coast (as close as we could safely do so) from the Mawson breakwall till we met up with the rest of the search fleet. Unfortunately on this occassion the ending was not a happy one with police recovering the bodies of three men washed up at Flat Rock.
This therefore is a untimely reminder that BEFORE going out
a) check the weather
b) check your equipment and supplies
c) log on and log off with Marine Rescue, so we can keep track of you
…. and keep in contact during your trip.
This is a volunteer (read: free) service offered to the public, so take a few minutes to let us know what your plans are so you’ve got a better chance of getting home safely.
Marine Rescue: Interim Regional Coordinators
As at 1600 hrs Wednesday 7th April 2010, interim Regional Coordinators will take their place within the structure of Marine Rescue NSW. Those appointed in the interim are:
Northern Rivers: Stephen Reading
Mid North Coast: Linda Jones
Hunter/ Central Coast: Neil Grieves (immediate-past Commander of AVCGA Swansea Flotilla)
Sydney: Chris Gillett
Illawarra: Bruce Mitchell
Monaro: Bob Herbert
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.
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!
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.
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.
Dinner Dance
As part of the years fund raising events, a dinner dance was held in August.
Members of the Lake Macquarie Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol joined other guests and AVCGA members for the evening to enjoy a lovely meal at the Swansea RSL, who are major sponsors of Coast Guard Swansea.
Music was provided by The Summerland Kings and, between dances, guests were able to test their general knowledge with a trivia quiz by quiz master John Margrie and their bowling skills by attempting to get their own gold coin closest to the illusive prize.
A great night was had by all who attended and the money raised will go to assist in the many facets of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard: from radio and rescue equipment to training and administration.
Fund raising is an important part of our group activities but always it is hoped that fund raising can also include socialising and enjoyment.
Report by R Jackson
Events, Courses, Meetings, Gatherings (Q4 2009)
Events
Swansea Flotilla will be attending the following events. Do come along and say hello!
Sunday 20 September - Gwandalan Spring Fair
Location: Lake Macquarie foreshore, Gwandalan Bowling Club, Gamban R, Gwandalan
Saturday 24 October - Rathmines Catalina Festival
Location: Rathmines Park (the former airbase)
Members: we need YOU to help out on the day with transport, set-up/bump-out, staffing during the day, selling raffle tickets etc. Please contact Rose Jackson.
Sunday 1 November - Bunnings BBQ at Bunnings Belmont
Members needed to staff the stall. Please contact Kevin Steel
Courses
For Members Only - Bookings ESSENTIAL. Please call the Radio Base to book
- Radio Operator Course
12, 19 & 26 October plus maybe 16 November
1830 to 2130 at Marks Point Public School
Members Only
- Boating Safety Course & Exam
Wednesday 21 October
1830 to 2100 at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club
Members Only
- MROCP (Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency) Course
2, 3, 4, 9 & 11 November
1830 to 2130 at Marks Point Public School
Members Only
Meetings & Social Gatherings
- Wednesday 30 September from 1830 - Social Dinner at Belmont Golf Club. To book contact John Margrie
- Tuesday 13 October - 1900 - Flotilla Meeting - Swansea RSL
- Wednesday 21 October - 0900 to 1600 - Mid week training - Boat Shed
- Thursday 29 October - 1000 to 1200 - Executive Meeting - LMYC
- Saturday 12 December - Christmas Party (lunch) - Swansea RSL Memorial Hall
