Hunter/Central Coast Regional Director Jim Wright presented Rev Wrightson with his Life Membership at the official opening of the unit’s new $1.8 million Search and Rescue Coordination Centre this morning.
Mr Wright said Rev Wrightson was worthy of the service’s highest honour, awarded in recognition of his sustained and valuable contribution, both operationally and in his chaplaincy role.
“We extend our thanks to Rev Wrightson for his lengthy service as a crew member and watch officer but perhaps more importantly, for his contribution to the pastoral care of our members and their families, particularly during times of tragedy,” he said.
“He has extended great compassion and care to his fellow members, not only those who have lost their own loved ones but also those who have taken part in traumatic and troubling operations, available at all hours to provide careful counsel and support.
“I know each individual is grateful to him for this.”
Rev Wrightson, who is soon to retire as Chaplain, was one of the founding chaplains to officiate at the annual Emergency Services Volunteers Memorial Service, taking part in his last service in October this year.
Join the emergency service that saves lives on the water.
Marine Rescue NSW has more than 3,100 volunteers committed to our life-saving mission and we’re keen to welcome new members aboard.
You’ll receive the professional training you need to learn new skills and gain nationally-recognised qualifications.
You’ll make new mates and serve your community.
There’s a range of roles on offer.
Whether you’re a rescue vessel crew member, a marine radio operator in a coastal radio base or filling one of our valuable support roles, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you played your part in helping return boaters in trouble on the water safely to their grateful families.
Comments Off on Welcome to the summer boating season!
The October long weekend marks the start of the summer boating season around Australia.
We know our boaters along the coastline and enclosed waters can’t wait to get out on the water after a hard year in which we’ve endured bushfires, floods and storms and COVID-19.
To help you stay safe and have an enjoyable summer out there, make sure you tune into Weekend Sunrise on Channel 7 on Saturday, October 3.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos and our terrific volunteers from Marine Rescue Broken Bay, Middle Harbour and Port Jackson will be providing you with simple advice about safety and preparedness to make sure that you can have a great time on the water and make it safely back to shore over the long, hot days ahead.
The first live cross is at 7.10am and you can see us on the half hour until about 8.40am.
Make sure you tune in before you head out.
Marine Rescue NSW crews are rescue-ready and standing watch. We look forward to seeing you all out on the water this summer.
Congratulations to the 365 members of Marine Rescue NSW who will receive the Bushfire Emergency Citation to recognise their contribution to the State’s Black Summer bushfire response.
A total of 355 volunteers from 25 units and 10 staff members will be awarded the Citation.
MRNSW members’ efforts included staffing Emergency Operations Centres, conducting Rural Fire Service communications, predeploying vessels for potential evacuations, assisting in evacuation centres and opening their own bases to people in harm’s way.
Crews evacuated a family of five sheltering on a beachfront, carried out resupply missions and prevented a potential major fire in Sydney bushland by detecting and extinguishing a camp fire in a National Park during a Total Fire Ban on a day of record heat.
Members assembled daily for weeks to answer public calls to the Bush Fire Information Line and Public Information and Inquiry Centre.
Staff coordinated our assistance and were based at RFS Headquarters as liaison officers, along with providing essential support to volunteers.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott announced the citations today:
BUSHFIRE RESPONDERS AWARDED FOR HEROISMThe outstanding contribution of volunteers and service personnel during the 2019-2020 bushfires is being recognised with a new NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation.
ore than 65,000 people involved across a broad spectrum of the firefight will receive a citation, certificate of recognition, commemorative cap and a letter from the Premier acknowledging their contribution and thanking them for their service.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW faced an unprecedented bushfire season during 2019-2020 and this initiative recognises those who served both on the front line and behind the scenes.
“This citation is thoroughly deserved for the thousands of volunteers and emergency services personnel who put their safety on the line to protect lives and properties. Equally deserving are those recognised who provided critical behind the scenessupport,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In harrowing conditions, those recognised kept turning up to help their communities day after day, week after week, month after month. This citation serves as a reminder of their heroic dedication to the people of NSW in the most trying circumstances.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said it was imperative we recognise the hard work and dedication of those who served their community during the ‘black summer’ bushfires.
“This is an opportunity for the people of NSW to show our brave emergency services personnel that we don’t consider them to be simply public servants in uniform. The unique nature of decorations and awards personify the bravery required and dedication to service,” Mr Elliott said.
The NSW Emergency Bushfire citations extend beyond NSW, with firefighters from interstate and overseas recognised. Thousands of Australians interstate will receive citations along with more than 300 people from overseas to thank them for their efforts in NSW’s biggest bushfire crisis in living memory.
UPDATE: A crew from Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking has spent the afternoon tracking the coastline south of Cronulla, along with vessels from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Maritime and a number of aircraft, searching for a whale that was reported to be trailing fishing nets and gear off the entrance to Port Hacking late this morning.
Rescue vessel Port Hacking 30 deployed in response to a request from National Parks to assist. Port Hacking 30 headed south to Wattamolla in the Royal National Park, keeping a careful lookout for a whale in distress.
The crew located a pod of about seven whales but the entangled whale did not appear to be among them.
COVID-19 restrictions on Marine Rescue NSW operations were eased this week, with our volunteers now able to return to their rostered duties and training activities.
Enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols remain in place and social distancing still needs to be observed in units, with a maximum of 20 people for rostered duties, training courses, unit inductions and meetings.
Like their colleagues in our 43 other units, the volunteers at Marine Rescue Point Danger have been eager to get back into training.
Crew member Todd Stoll was at the boat shed early this morning before both the unit’s vessels swung out on to the Tweed River to start a day of Crew and Leading Crew training activities.
Thanks to all our volunteers for playing their parts in keeping themselves, their team members and the community safe – while still maintaining our life-saving services – throughout this pandemic.
Thanks, too, to the boaters who stayed safe by staying home to help protect their own and our first responders’ health and wellbeing.
Look out for our crews out on the water again and remember to make every journey safer by Logging On and Off with MRNSW via VHF Channel 16 or the free MarineRescue App.
Comments Off on Three honoured on Queen’s Birthday
Congratulations to the three Marine Rescue NSW recipients of the Emergency Services Medal in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Marine Rescue Newcastle Unit Commander and Training Officer Ron Calman, Marine Rescue Narooma Vessel Master Ross Constable and Monaro Regional Operations Manager and Marine Rescue Batemans Bay member Glenn Sullivan have received the prestigious honour for their commitment to saving lives on the water.
MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos congratulated the three on the national recognition of their distinguished service to the NSW community.
“These awards are an opportunity to thank Ron, Ross and Glenn for their years of work and commitment to serving and protecting the boating community,” he said.
“Between them, they have given more than 90 years’ service to the people of our state. Our people are our strength and we are proud to have such experienced, skilled and dedicated members in our ranks.
“Our volunteers make a valuable contribution to the safety and wellbeing of our community without any expectation of reward or recompense. They deserve our gratitude.
“These awards are our chance to say thank you not just to our three recipients but to all their colleagues as well.”
Mr Calman OAM has been Unit Commander of MR Newcastle since 2012, having served with distinction for more than six decades as the Captain of the Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club; the founding Commander of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Swansea flotilla; the Division Commander of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol at Lake Macquarie; and an officer in the NSW Police Marine Area Command.
A skilled and respected Rescue Vessel Master, he makes himself available around the clock to respond to emergencies on the water and has personally conducted hundreds of rescue missions, often in dark and dangerous conditions.
In July 2019, Mr Calman was the Master of one the two MRNSW vessels responsible for retrieving three people who died when their catamaran capsized in rough seas off the Stockton coast, responding with great care and compassion.
As the unit’s Training Officer, he has been committed to ensuring his members receive professional training, resourcing and support for their life-saving roles.
He has also worked tirelessly to maintain volunteer morale following the destruction of the Newcastle unit base in severe storms in 2015, persevering to secure a permanent new home.
Mr Constable, who joined MR Narooma in 2000, displays the highest levels of professionalism and leadership, not only in his operational role as a rescue vessel Master but also as a member of the unit executive.
Mr Constable’s skill and professionalism gives his crew members confidence in his navigational abilities and judgment, even in the most unfavourable of sea and weather conditions.
His innovation in training in all aspects of seamanship has seen MR Narooma achieve a notable standard of operational excellence.
He has led numerous challenging search and rescue operations in response to traumatic emergencies, including a number of fatalities. His care and compassion for those in need is also extended to his fellow volunteers, instituting effective peer support.
Glenn Sullivan has made a lasting contribution to the operational capability of MRNSW and the safety of the boating community through his tireless work to assist and support MRNSW volunteers and his commitment to education, as both a volunteer and career officer.
Mr Sullivan joined MR Batemans Bay in 2009. In addition to qualifying as a Vessel Master, he gained a training qualification, becoming the unit’s Training Officer.
He subsequently was appointed Regional Training Manager for the Illawarra and Monaro regions and is now the Monaro Regional Operations Manager, coordinating rescue operations and resources across the South Coast, Alpine Lakes and Murray River at Moama.
Mr Sullivan has led many search and rescue operations, including an extended eight-day operation to locate the wreckage of a plane that ditched off Broulee in 2014, for which he was awarded a Commissioner’s Citation for Service.
While guiding training for the new Alpine Lakes unit in 2011, he responded to save the life of a woman who was choking.
Mr Sullivan showed strong and empathetic leadership throughout the 2019-20 bushfires, coordinating local deployments and resources to maintain MRNSW operations and assist the emergency response while also supporting volunteers and the community.
A generous mentor, Mr Sullivan is driven to help volunteers build their capability, skill and safety.
Comments Off on Volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW remain on duty
Volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW remain on duty, ready to respond to emergencies and help boaters stay safe on the water.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos thanked the organisation’s volunteers for their ongoing commitment to community service during the continuing COVID-19 crisis.
“As always, our volunteers are selflessly putting the safety of the boating community first, even during this worrying time for us all,” he said.
“I know those boaters who are out on the water over the weekend will be grateful to each and every one of our volunteers reporting for duty.”
Commissioner Tannos said it was important to assure boaters that MRNSW was maintaining its vital emergency services at all our 44 units on the NSW coastline and on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River at Moama.
Commissioner Tannos said MRNSW had put preventative measures into place to protect its volunteers and staff, along with other members of the community, this week.
“These are sensible precautions to protect our people and the community while maintaining operation. Like everyone who’s adapting to a new way of working right now, we very much look forward to returning to our normal operations once this health crisis ends.”
Throughout this all, MRNSW staff have continued to work from home, staying safe and getting on with the job. Staff has been zooming through meetings, sharing desks with the kids, and getting some pawsome help from our furry friends.
Boaters should continue to Log On and Log Off with Marine Rescue NSW via VHF Channel 16 or the free MarineRescue App.
Boaters in trouble on the water can continue to call for help on VHF Ch 16 or on Triple Zero (000).
Comments Off on Marine Rescue NSW remains ready to respond
Marine Rescue NSW has assured the boating community that it remains ready to respond to emergencies – but is appealing to recreational boaters to stay home during the COVID-19 crisis.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos encouraged boaters to observe the need for people to socially isolate to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus throughout the community.
“It is important that boaters know Marine Rescue NSW is maintaining its life-saving services. If you’re in trouble on the water and need help, our volunteers are ready – as always – to respond,” he said.
“But this is not a time to be reckless with your own or our volunteers’ health and safety.
“It is clear that in these difficult times, we are all expected to act responsibly and abide by the official requests to stay home except when absolutely essential in order to protect ourselves and each other.
“I know our boating community places a high value on our volunteers and their mission to save lives on the water.
“So today, with the full support of NSW Maritime, I am taking the unusual step of asking our recreational boaters to stay on shore.
“Their cooperation in avoiding any unnecessary boating activities will help safeguard no only their own health and wellbeing but that of our 3,000-plus volunteers and others in the community.”
MRNSW has introduced a range of preventative measures to protect its volunteers and staff, along with the public, while also ensuring it can continue its life-saving operations. These include:
• Maintaining marine radio operations with core numbers of volunteers
• Vessel crews largely operating on an emergency call-out basis rather than on standby
• All public fundraising, events, meetings and training have been cancelled
• All personnel are being encouraged to observe social distancing requirements and enhanced hygiene practices.
Commissioner Tannos thanked all MRNSW volunteers for their ongoing commitment to their community service during the continuing COVID-19 crisis.
“As always, our volunteers are selflessly putting the safety of the boating community first, even during this worrying time for us all,” he said. “We all look forward to life on the water returning to normal when this crisis ends.”
In an emergency, boaters should call for help on VHF Channel 16 or by ringing Triple Zero (000).
Comments Off on 2019 Marine Rescue NSW Board election results
The results of the 2019 Marine Rescue NSW Board elections were announced at today’s Annual General Meeting, held at the State Headquarters at Cronulla.
Marine Rescue Point Danger member Darcy Henriksen was elected as the new Northern Rivers Regional Director. Mid North Coast Regional Director John Lynch ESM and Hunter/Central Coast Regional Director Jim Wright were re-elected unopposed. General Director Jim Glissan AM ESM QC was also re-elected unopposed.
At the subsequent Board meeting, Mr Glissan was re-elected as Chair of the Board.
Returning officer for the election, MR Botany Port Hacking member Noel Parkinson, said 114 – 37 per cent – of the 307 eligible members in the Northern Rivers Region had voted. Mr Henriksen, who has been a member of MRNSW since 2007 and had 39 years’ experience in the Royal Australian Air Force before his retirement, thanked the volunteers for their vote of confidence and said he was honoured and privileged to take on the position of responsibility.
Marine Rescue Point Danger Unit Commander Glenda Ashby was made a Life Member of Marine Rescue NSW.
Mr Glissan said Life Membership was the highest accolade the organisation could bestow and congratulated UC Ashby on her 20 years’ service, first in Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland and then as part of Marine Rescue NSW.
“You’re a shining light and the kind of example we went to set to other members,” he said.
“We’re very grateful for the work Glenda has done. She promotes our volunteers, well beyond the unit and has contributed to the organisation as a whole.
” Mr Glissan said UC Ashby had established strong working relationships with organisations both within NSW and across the border with Queensland agencies.
He said she had first run the unit’s fundraising souvenir shop before progressed through positions including Assistant Treasurer, Administration Officer, Deputy Unit Commander and Unit Commander.
“Glenda’s long-term commitment and devotion to the wellbeing of the members has established the Point Danger operation as financially solid and professional and she puts a lot of work in at the coalface at unit, too,” Mr Glissan said.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos ES M outlined the organisation’s achievements over the 2018-2019 financial year.
He said MRNSW had performed about 2,700 rescues, of which around 820 were in response to life-threatening emergencies, throughout the year.
He thanked the organisation’s 3,000 volunteers for their hard work, commitment and willingness to accept change and adopt increasing technology.
“We all have one goal – to grow the organisation and provide a safety net for the boating community and I believe we do that extremely well,” he said.
He thanked the staff for their contribution, saying more staff were soon coming on board to support the delivery of new communications, vessels and facilities funded from the $37.6 million in additional funding for MRNSW announced by the State Government in January, including the establishment of the new Lord Howe Island unit.
“This time next year we hope to have the unit operational, with a base built, volunteers trained and a boat in place,” he said.
He said the additional Government investment had freed up existing capital for exciting new projects in 2020. Partner at Grant Thornton Audit James Winter told the AGM he had recognised a continued improvement in the quality of work and professionalism that had continued in the financial year.
He said it was solid, steady performance and he had no concerns about the organisation from an audit perspective.
