Allan Reidy inducted as the Inaugural Unit Life Member of Marine Rescue Jervis Bay.
Allan joined the MRJB Unit in April 2012. His original intention was to join as a Radio Club member, but when offered a volunteer membership, he accepted with alacrity.
During twelve years of meritorious service, Allan has been involved in the MRJB Unit administration by holding executive roles as:
Deputy Unit Commander (July – November 2014, and September 2019 – June 2020); and
Unit Commander (November 2014 – July 2016).
Allan has typically been active in the Unit’s SAR operations, having obtained the MR Crew and Radio operator ratings in 2013, then the MR Watch Officer rating in June 2014, and the MR Leading Crew rating in December 2018. “I’ve been involved in 93 incidents both at the radio base and on a rescue vessel” Allan said. Allan estimates that during his 12 years of membership with MRJB he has spent 1335 hours operating the radio base and 714 hours onboard a rescue vessel.
In August 2018, Allan was awarded a Unit Commander’s Citation for his dedication to duty. Also in 2018, Allan was a finalist in the seniors category of the NSW Volunteer of the Year awards for the Illawarra region.
In December 2022, Allan received a Zone Commander’s (South) Citation for his involvement in the rescue of a young girl and her father some 600m off the beach at Iluka in Jervis Bay. The girl had been swept off her stand up paddleboard in 20 knot south westerly winds, and her father had also become a casualty during an unsuccessful attempt to assist his daughter. Allan was the Watch Officer on duty when the call for assistance came in, and one of four MRJB members involved in the multi-agency response. Marine Area Command – NSW Police congratulated the MRJB members “for such an efficient and timely response with the best possible outcome achieved”.
As for his future aspirations at MRJB, Allan will increase his involvement in the MRJB Unit’s fundraising activities. “I want to continue to foster strong relations with the local community, which facilitates fundraising and new member recruitment” Allan said.
Allan reminds us that behind every volunteer is a support person, and thanks his wife, Sandra, for her ongoing support of his volunteering endeavours.
Allan cites his love of the water, and his enjoyment of fishing, as motivation for his sustained volunteer contribution to assisting recreational boaters at MRJB. “I really enjoy the camaraderie within the volunteer cohort” Allan said.
The inaugural MRJB Unit Life Membership is awarded to Allan with the grateful thanks of his fellow volunteers.
Anita Smith
14/3/2024