About Us

MRNSW Statistics Officer - Marine Rescue Central Coast Unit

I joined Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol at the Central Coast Division in September 1989 after being assisted home when the bottom blade broke off the propeller of our 28ft yacht. Only my wife, Judith, can explain why it was the bottom blade! We immediately recognised the importance of the work the RVCP did and wanted to be involved. Judith and I love sailing. Early on we spent many pleasant days on Lake Macquarie in hired putt putts and learning to sail out of Belmont Yacht Club.

I met and married Judith at Toronto. We have three children, seven grand children, and eight great grand children. For work, in business machines both maintenance and management, we have moved around a bit, to North Lambton, Lismore, Blackalls, Charlestown, Lismore, Goonellabah, Shortland, Kotara South, St Ives and then finally at Daleys Point.

We built a 20ft half cabin cruiser in 1966-67, using it mainly on Lake Macquarie during the year and Myall Lakes for annual holidays. We bought a 24ft yacht hull in 1983. After we fitted it out and rigged it we sailed mainly on Pittwater, Broken Bay and Brisbane Water.

In 1985 while sailing on Brisbane Water we spotted our future home from the water, returned by car the next weekend and paid a deposit. We soon moved to our new retirement home in Peridon Village, Daleys Point overlooking Brisbane Water. In 1986 we had 'fourfootitus' and moved up to a 28ft Santana. We had ten happy years sailing Broken Bay, Lake Macquarie and Sydney Harbour.

We have also spent time coastal hopping with friends between Botany Bay and Hervey Bay on their motor cruisers. Many a week has been spent exploring Moreton Bay, its islands and tributaries. On land we have toured extensively, mainly by caravan between Port Douglass and Perth, and up the centre to Darwin.

In those 'early days' there were few corporate Coastal Patrol vessels, so members used private boats for most assists. On one 'off-duty' weekend returning from a sail in Broken Bay we copied a distress call from a disabled ski boat. We were nearby so we attended. I will never forget the expression on the owner's face - a ski boat being towed home by a yacht under full sail.

I was appointed Division Commander in April 1996 and held that position until October 1998. Early in my term the Division's Terrigal Haven Radio Base was burnt to the ground. It was a great relief when that Base was finally rebuilt and we had restored what I had inherited. Money was terribly short and we were trying to save to replace our Category 2 Rescue Vessel. After protracted negotiations we made a sponsorship deal with a local dealer, Graham Murphy of Hi Torque Marine. New outboards were fitted, maintained and replaced every year for three years. With increased fundraising and these savings, by 1999 we had enough salted away to commission a custom built plate aluminium diesel jet lifeboat.

Since 1991 I have been a rescue skipper (offshore). I have helped out as Division Statistics officer, Patrol Statistics and currently Marine Rescue NSW Statistics Officer. I also fulfil the role of Central Coast Unit's Search Master. I was proud to receive the National Medal in November 2005 and at the RVCP conference in Port Stephens in 2009 was presented with the final OC's Award.

I still find time to be 'bus driver' for our village minibus, as well I am a member of the village social committee and deputy chair of the residents committee. With MRNSW funding now assured, I am looking forward to great progress with our new rescue organisation.