Visitors reassured to know modern rescue service ready to respond.
T he spacious and sturdy search and rescue boat Cottage Point 30 was one of the stars of the Sydney International Boat Show in early August, with hundreds of boaters coming on board for an inspection.
MR Cottage Point Training Officer Mike Evans said the visitors had been impressed by the 12 metre vessel’s advanced Suzuki twin engines, Raymarine navigation and radar display screens and first aid equipment.
“Many of our visitors said they hoped they would never have to call on us but were reassured to know that MRNSW has professionally trained volunteers and a modern fleet ready to respond,” he said.
Twenty Cottage Point volunteers were rostered on through the show, which ran from August 1 to 5, to help guide guests through the vessel. Nearly 30 other volunteers from MR Botany Port Hacking, Central Coast, Evans Head, Hawkesbury, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson, Port Kembla, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Shellharbour and Terrey Hills helped with the boat tours and on the MRNSW stand in the Boating Safety Zone in the International Convention Centre.
“It was fabulous,” MR Botany Port Hacking member Terri-Mae Fitzgerald said. “It was lovely working with colleagues and the general public; they were very supportive.”
With more than 60,000 people visiting the show over five days, the MRNSW members were kept busy answering questions about Logging On, the free MarineRescue App, lifejackets, VHF marine radio, radio courses and recruitment.
The Boating Safety Zone also included the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, NSW Roads and Maritime Services, the Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Department of Primary Industries. Jeff Ballard, from MR Port Kembla, enjoyed engaging with the boating community.
“It was really good. There were lots of questions from boaters and it was satisfying to give them information that they needed,” he said. Boating Industry Association General Manager of Marketing and Events Domenic Genua said the intention this year had been to take SIBS visitors on a journey. “Our desire was to share all that is good about recreational boating,” he said.
CP 30 returned to its base the day after the show concluded. Mike Evans said the voyage had helped brush up on navigation skills. “It was an excellent training opportunity,” he said.
“The crew used a hand bearing compass to fix the boat’s location off Blue Fish Point at North Head and again off Long Reef and the boat’s electronic equipment to take a radar range and bearing in the vicinity of Barrenjoey Lighthouse.”
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