RVCP - Central Coast Division : RVCP News

A quiet and uneventful day at MARINE RESCUE Central Coast was ending on the evening of Saturday 23 Jan. The duty crew were glad to be closing down at 6:02pm after a very hot day and were enjoying the cooling effects of the 40 knot southerly. Then the phone rang. A resident at Saratoga called in to report that he had seen through his telescope a man in boat waving an oar. He said the boat appeared to be in difficulties but because of the rain and spray driven by the howling southerly wind he wasn’t sure.

The duty radio operator rang Gosford Police to ask if they had any other reports of a boat in trouble. They advised that they had received a mobile phone call from a man in a boat in that vicinity and had sent a car to investigate. Central Coast Lifeboat was immediately despatched with Norm Smith as skipper and Ian Brown and Ted Leeson as crew. The radio room contacted the boat to determine an accurate description and position. They learned that there were 5 people on board the 15’ half cabin launch. Its motor had ‘died’ and it was being blown south rapidly. They said they were about half-a-mile off Peeks Point.

The rescue boat crew located the distressed boat with the five people huddled inside the cabin to avoid the wind and rain. After some difficulties in the rough condition the tow line was attached and reluctantly some people left the cabin to balance the boat to enable a safe tow to the ramp at Saratoga. The group had been out fishing, had seen the southerly coming and while returning home the motor had failed.

Central Coast Lifeboat and its crew returned to base around 7:30pm with the sound of ‘thank you’ ringing in their ears. Without the call from the man with the telescope and the dedication of the volunteers at MARINE RESCUE Central Coast, the day’s fishing could have ended in tragedy and a wrecked boat.

Yacht under tow in Broken Bay in southerly during thunderstorm - photo Dennis Byrne

Around 5:46pm on Wednesday (Jan 13) the duty radio operator at the Point Clare base of Marine Rescue Central Coast, Alan Howes, sent his duty crew, Terry Reynolds and Dennis Byrne, aboard Central Coast Lifeboat to a simple job in Gosford Boat Harbour. A 30’ yacht with two people aboard had run aground and required help to get free and back into deep water. This task was completed by 6:15pm and the rescue boat was returning to its berth at Point Clare. The crew called the base to advise that their task was completed.

It was then that the radio operator advised that he had received a VHF radio ‘Pan Pan’ call (an urgent call for help) from a vessel in trouble in Broken Bay, about 1nm off Lion Island. The 50’ yacht had one person on board, its roller reefing gear had jammed with the foresail about 2/3^rd rolled, and the engine would not start. The skipper provided a GPS position to assist the rescue crew go straight to the location. The wind was 30 knots and gusting from the Sth/East, seas were 3m and rising. This yacht had a problem. Police were notified and Marine Rescue Central Coast was tasked to assist.

Terry and his crew reached the yacht about 6:50pm. By then it was just ½ nm off Lion Island. Conditions had deteriorated with a thunderstorm, heavy rain and squally winds making life unpleasant and seas very confused. The rescue boat crew got a line aboard the yacht and began a tow towards Pittwater. Progress was slow because of the strong southerly and the wind in the jammed sail. The yacht skipper and boat crew decided to head west to shelter under West Head so the owner could free the jammed sail. This was successful and it was then decided that the safest location overnight would be Refuge Bay. The yacht was placed on a mooring in Refuge about 9:30pm.

Effective from 6:00am on January 1 Coastal Patrol Divisions, including Central Coast will cease to exist as operational entities. From that time and date all operational activities including marine radio and search and rescue will become the responsibility of Marine Rescue NSW.

Coastal Patrol Central Coast that operates from Point Clare and Terrigal Haven will change its radio call signs from Coastal Patrol to Marine Rescue Gosford and Marine Rescue Terrigal from that moment.

Unit Commander, Patricia Fayers said,’ This is both a sad yet exciting time. It is sad that the Patrol is ceasing after 39 years on the Central Coast, but our members are excited and enthusiastic to continue their service to the community under the banner of the new organisation.’

All operational assets of Central Coast Division will become the responsibility of Marine Rescue NSW. Patrol membership will move from the Patrol to Marine Rescue NSW. The changeover process, including base and vessel identification, uniforms from Coastal Patrol to Marine Rescue NSW will be gradual and all Divisions will continue to operate as normal to provide a safety net for the recreational boaters on the Central Coast

Central Coast Lifeboat and Brisbane Water Lifeboat ‘on the job’ on Brisbane Water.

December 13 proved to be ‘Rescue Sunday” for the boat crews on duty at Coastal Patrol Central Coast Division.

Around 11:00 the Point Clare base received a broken up 27MHz radio message from a runabout in a fishing competition with engine trouble somewhere north of Maitland Bay. With assistance from the radio operator at Coastal Patrol Terrigal Haven it was determined that the 4.5m vessel with 2 POB was 2nm east of Third Point. Bill Egan, Cameron Veacock and Gordon Ellis aboard Central Coast Lifeboat located the vessel in 2m seas. The stricken craft was towed back to safety at Lions Park at Woy Woy.

While this tow was underway, at about 11:50 another participant in the same fishing competition radioed for help due to a fuel problem. The 5.0m runabout with 3 POB, was at Lobster Beach. Brisbane Water Lifeboat, with Terry Reynolds and Collis Harvey aboard was despatched to assist. The runabout was towed back to the Blackwall Ramp.

On its return Central Coast Lifeboat was despatched to aid a dismasted catamaran but found the Patrol’s services were not required as a passing yacht was already assisting.

Photo: Helicopter crew assessing possibility of landing on the dredge, it landed on nearby Lobster Beach and the medical crew on board were transported to the tug by Waterways RIB.

Coastal Patrol was involved with the evacuation of a worker from the dredge working on the bar at Little Box Head at the entrance to Broken Bay early on Saturday afternoon, December 12.

Around 13:30 hours duty radio operator Ron Jackson had a call from the local Waterways Safety Officer seeking urgent assistance to transport NSW Ambulance paramedics from Ettalong Public Wharf to the tug, Betts Bay, at Little Box Head. A male worker on board was suffering severe abdominal pains and immediate medical assistance was required.

Skipper Terry Reynolds and his crew, Brent Malcolm and Gordon Ellis, on Brisbane Water Lifeboat collected the paramedics and transported them to the tug. Once on board the tug the paramedics decided that the man should be evacuated by helicopter. On arrival the helicopter pilot assessed the location. He asked that all vessels in the immediate vicinity be asked not to use radar or MF/HF radios while the helicopter was nearby due to possible interference with instruments. He also asked that the channel be closed while they landed a crew by long wire. Eventually the pilot decided they could not land on the dredge or tug due to the amount of equipment onboard, so the helicopter landed the doctor and another paramedic on Lobster Beach. From there they were transported to the Betts Bay by the Waterways Rigid Hull Inflatable boat.

Once the man was stabilised it was decided that the best evacuation plan was for the Coastal Patrol rescue vessel to transport the man on a stretcher back to the ambulance waiting at Ettalong Public Wharf. The man was finally carried ashore about 15:30 hours, and then was taken to Gosford Hospital.

Addenda: We learned on Sunday that the worker involved passed kidney stones overnight in Gosford Hospital and was able to return home on Sunday Dec 13. His boss says he expects him to be 'back on the job' on the dredge early in the week.

Directors Michael Stringer (left) and James Glissan (standing) in MRNSW uniforms, with Patricia Fayers, Commander of Coastal Patrol Central Coast Division.

Marine Rescue NSW is a new force in Australian volunteer marine rescue services. It draws together highly trained people from the three existing volunteer marine rescue organisations in NSW and will provide improved coordination of search and rescue, radio communications and boat safety education for the boating community.

Until now, volunteer marine rescue activities in NSW have been carried out by Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA), Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP) and the Volunteer Rescue Association, Marine Branch (VRA Marine Branch). These three groups operate a total of 56 accredited marine rescue bases along the NSW coast and perform almost 70 percent of all rescues in NSW.

Members of all three organisations have worked together to forge a single entity for the future. There has been widespread consultation on the creation of this new service that has attracted strong support throughout the volunteer marine rescue community.

Two Directors on the Board of Marine Rescue NSW, James Glissan (previously AVCGA) and Michael Stringer (previously RVCP) visited the Central Coast on Monday Dec 7 to update local volunteers on the progress to a single unified organisation. About 50 members attended the meeting held at the Point Clare Base.

Commissioner Glenn Finniss has been appointed the Acting Head of MRNSW. Glenn has 30-years of NSW Police Service including 29-years with the NSW Water Police, and for the last 9 years he was responsible for Marine Search and Rescue in NSW.

The Directors advised that detailed planning and budgeting is underway, including the appointment of Strategic Integration Teams to ensure that MRNSW Operations and Administration are optimised for the benefit and safety of the recreational boating community.

Volunteers in MRNSW uniforms will soon appear on Central Coast waters in vessels changed from traditional Coastal Patrol or Coast Guard colours to the new MRNSW livery.

A 27MHz marine radio call around 07:30 on Friday asking, ‘Can anyone help’ was answered by volunteer Ian Leafe (pictured above), duty radio operator at the Point Clare Base of Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol.

The radio call was from the skipper of a 28’ Caribbean Cruiser seeking urgent assistance. The cruiser had struck rocks at East Reef off Broken Bay. The vessel was holed and taking water and the collision had damaged the propeller and rudder, leaving the vessel without power and steering. Weather conditions had unexpectedly deteriorated and a 30 knot southerly gale was blowing making the three people on board very uncomfortable.

Ian contacted the police radio room in Newcastle and they tasked Broken Bay Water Police with the rescue. The Coastal Patrol radio room maintained contact with the drifting vessel obtaining updates of their GPS position and relaying details to the Water Police vessel. The disabled vessel’s bilge pump kept water at manageable levels until it was successfully located and towed to a mooring at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Pittwater.

The assistance provide once again demonstrates the usefulness of installing and using a marine radio ‘just in case’ something unexpected happens.

NSW Maritime has issued ‘Warning to Navigation’ (Marine Notice HB0912 of 2009) for all vessels using the bar at Little Box Head. The warning indicates that dredging operations will commence in the area of the entrance channel to Brisbane Water at Little Box Head and includes the channel to Half Tide Rocks.

The dredging operations and associated works may be carried out 24 hours a day for 7 days a week. The tug Betts Bay and the associated barge (pictured above watched by Richard Manning aboard Brisbane Water Lifeboat) will undertake the dredging and its operations may constitute a hazard to navigation.

The area involved is from Little Box Head, past Lobster Beach and through the channel to Half Tide Rocks. The dredging is scheduled to commence on December 3 (began Sunday Dec 6, delayed due to weather conditions) and continue for at least three weeks (December 27). Coastal Patrol advises extreme caution when boating in this area throughout this period.

Coastal Patrol welcomes commencement of the dredging that when completed will reduce the dangers associated with crossing the bar at the entrance to Brisbane Water.

Skippers are reminded that a speed of 4 knots must be maintained when within 100m of the tug, barge or any floating plant in the area, and vessel wash must be kept to a minimum. Vessels must pass on the correct side of the dredge in accordance with the lights and shapes displayed by the dredge. (The safe side will show diamond shapes or green lights).

A planned family day out ended abruptly around 1:30pm on Saturday afternoon when their 18’ ski boat burst into flame. The boat was launched at the Bayview Ramp Saratoga and burst into flame shortly after. No one was hurt, but the boat was burned to the waterline and is a write off.

Coastal Patrol’s Brisbane Water Lifeboat attended, but Skipper Bill Egan said ‘By the time we arrived nothing could be done, the boat had almost burned to the waterline’. At the request of the Fire Brigade the smouldering hull was towed to the ramp to enable it to be pulled from the water for disposal.

The value of a marine radio ‘broadcast’ again proved invaluable on Sunday Nov 8, saving the life of a man and also saving his 16’ ½ cabin launch.

Just before 2.30pm, Richard Manning, the duty radio operator at the Point Clare Base of Coastal Patrol Central Coast Division heard a MAY DAY on the 27MHz radio. A vessel with engine trouble called the emergency and reported that it was just 20m off the rocks under the cliffs near Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Broken Bay.

Coastal Patrol Broken Bay Division’s new lifeboat, Peter E Weston, was operational just inside Pittwater, and the Skipper, Robert Baker, immediately responded to the request for assistance.

The Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Show at Davistown last weekend was a chance for the Coastal Patrol to say a big “thankyou” to all those who have shown support by buying raffle tickets during the winter months.

Text Box: Top - Marie Andrew MP draws the Boat Raffler at Deepwater Plaza on Sunday Nov 1, sharing the winners details with CMDR Patricia Fayers
Above - Coastal Patrol volunteers at the Putt Putt Regatta Davistown
Left - Raffle winner Bob Dodds collecting his prize from Pat Fayers at the Patrol's Point Clare Base on Monday Nov 2.

The last of the tickets were sold at Davistown on Sunday morning and the winning ticket was drawn at Deepwater Plaza at 3.00 pm in the afternoon. This year’s winner is Mr Robert Dodds of Wyoming. When notified of his win, he said “You’ve got to be kidding me, that’s fantastic”

”The raffle was a great success again this year raising about one-third of the funds needed to meet ongoing expenses for the maintenance of marine rescue services on the Central Coast.

“The Patrol is also grateful to their sponsor, INSINC Marine of Manns Road who supplied the Quintrex runabout and gear at trade prices” said Richard Manning, local spokesman for the Patrol.

“Our thanks also go to the Central Coast Express Advocate and other media outlets for the excellent coverage of events and incidents involving marine rescue volunteers, Without such publicity it is really hard for us to tell the community what is going on and how much we appreciate their support”, Mr Manning said.

Minister Joe Tripodi has been reported as saying that NSW has allocated $3 million towards the cost of establishing the new Marine Rescue NSW. This is welcome news to the existing marine rescue organisations but it will be some time before change will be seen locally.

Meanwhile, our financial ability to come to the aid of Central Coast boaters still depends on the traditional generosity of the Central Coast community. Winter is raffle season, so look out for the Coastal Patrol members in their traditional orange uniforms who will be selling raffle tickets in the local shopping centres over the next few months.

As usual, the prize, shown above, is a fully equipped runabout on its trailer with motor and all safety equipment – a great starter for any family looking for fun on the water this coming summer. The lucky winner will be drawn on November 1, 2009.

Central Coast Coastal Patrol Skipper, Cameron Veacock, and his crew on Central Coast Lifeboat were combining a training exercise in the Woy Woy Channel and a trip to Booker Bay to refuel the lifeboat around 1445 hours on Sunday 28^th when they noticed smoke coming from the rear of a moored 8.0m fly-bridge motor cruiser. The vessel was just west of Lions Park in Woy Woy Channel.

The crew immediately began to check the vessel for persons onboard and also advised the Patrol Base at Pt Clare by radio. The duty radio operator, Pat Fayers, notified the Water Police and a Police vessel from Broken Bay attended. Brisbane Water Lifeboat under command of Terry Reynolds was also directed to the area to be ready to assist in case it was necessary to move other vessels moored nearby.

Central Coast Lifeboat’s crew determined that there was no one aboard the cruiser. They found that the fire appeared to be in a bilge blower below decks at the rear of the vessel. Fortunately, the owner then arrived by dinghy and he was able to open a hatch enabling access so that the lifeboat’s fire extinguisher was then able to control the fire.

An expensive disaster was averted by the lucky co-incidence of a sharp eyed Coastal Patrol crew being at Woy Woy at just the right time.

On Monday (June 15) police Brisbane Water Local Area Command (LAC) again requested assistance from the Coastal Patrol volunteers from Central Coast Division, to continue the search for a local kayaker missing on Brisbane Water since Friday.

Three Patrol lifeboats, Central Coast Lifeboat, Brisbane Water Lifeboat and Centaco 3, assisted police in a wide search for the young Woy Woy man on Friday (June 12) when the man was first reported missing. The search continued well into each night all weekend.

The police in charge of the search again requested the Patrol to provide a vessel and crew to resume the activity again today, nominating boat moorings at Saratoga, Paddy’s Channel, Lintern Channel and around St Hubert's Island as search areas. Skipper Al Morris, with his crew of Bill Egan and Stephen Murphy on Central Coast Lifeboat joined police LAC vessel Ettalong, and both vessels will be on the water most of the day undertaking a careful search.

Photo: Al Morris and crew prepare Central Coast Lifeboat for operational duty.

Three Coastal Patrol lifeboats from Central Coast Division, Central Coast Lifeboat, Brisbane Water Lifeboat and Centaco 3, assisted police from the Brisbane Water LAC in a wide search for a young Woy Woy man missing from a kayak somewhere on Brisbane Water.

The Patrol began assisting police after midday on Friday (June 12) when the man was reported missing. The man’s upturned kayak, with its paddle and a spray jacket still attached, was located at the Saratoga end of Paddy’s Channel around 3:00pm.

A major search was conducted through Friday night and included use of the Police Helicopter with heat seeking equipment.

The police co-ordinated search resumed on Saturday (June 13) with all three Patrol lifeboats actively involved together with the Police LAC vessel, a NSW Maritime vessel, a surf club RIB, and eventually other kayaks and some launches hired locally by friends. The entire foreshore was covered including under jetties and docks.

Senior Officers of Coastal Patrol liaised with the police in charge of the search providing information of tidal flow, current movements and other local knowledge of the waterway. With no success, the search was scaled down around 7:00pm Saturday with plans to resume on Sunday (June 14).

On Sunday, at the request of the LAC, the Division assisted the police LAC vessel and a NSW Maritime vessel undertake further searches on the waterway, in particular an area off Saratoga where a resident indicated that he had seen a kayak on Friday. The search has been unsuccessful so far.

The volunteer on duty at the Coastal Patrol Marine Radio Room on Sunday morning (June 7) answered a call for help around 9:50 - ‘Coastal Patrol, I am aground north-west of Riley’s Island, the tide is falling, can you assist?’

Central Coast Lifeboat was assigned after consultation with the Water Police. Duty Skipper, Ron Cole and crewman Karl Liepa were given the task. On arrival at the western end of Lintern Channel the boat crew found the 14.5m fly-bridge cruiser on the wrong side of a port channel marker and hard aground.

Lintern Channel is a tricky part of Brisbane Water because it has its downstream entry from the St Hubert’s Island or seaward end. As a result the channel markers seem to be reversed and if you are not aware of this, grounding can result when entering the channel at the Veterans Hall end. This was what had happened to this visitor to Brisbane Water.

The 14.5m Cruiser was about twice the size of Central Coast Lifeboat. It was like David and Goliath - but once the lifeboat crew assessed the situation they attached a tow line by stern bridle and used the great power of the Lifeboat’s diesel jet to move the big cruiser and its worried crew into deeper water. All was safe and well again.

Once the owner had checked his engine cooling water intakes and received some advice about our tricky channel, he was given a copy of the Patrol’s Guide to Brisbane Water. He then resumed his voyage and his enjoyment of our beautiful waterway and his long weekend afloat.

CMDR Pat Fayers addressing those who assembled to honour members who have 'Crossed the Bar' .

A large group of members, friends and relatives participated in a moving Memorial Service that was held at 11.00 on Sunday (May 3) for members of Central Coast Coastal Patrol who have ‘Crossed the Bar’ over the past five years. The service was conducted by Patrol Padre, Reverend Tom Hill who dedicated the plaques now fixed on the Division Memorial Stone at Point Clare base and was supported by a haunting bagpipe lament played by member Lloyd Grounds.

Those remembered and honoured for their dedication and service to the community were Ken Wolinski (2004), David Farr (2006), Jack Clarke (2007), Malcolm Wright (2008), Bryan Sweeney (2008), Stephen van Breugel (2008) and Rick Debenham (2009).

An urgent 27 MHz marine radio call was received by the volunteers on duty at the Coastal Patrol base around 10.45 am on Monday (27 April). The call was from a 5.0m runabout with two men on board. They reported that while returning from a fishing trip in Broken Bay their engine had suddenly stopped as they were approaching Half Tide Rocks off Ettalong.

With a runout tide and a North Westerly wind, they suddenly found themselves literally ‘going out with the tide’. They managed to get a line on one of the starboard channel markers at Half Tide Rocks and called the Patrol for assistance.

The ‘on call’ lifeboat duty crew responded to the call from the base radio operator, and Brisbane Water Lifeboat, skippered by Al Morris was soon on the scene. After attaching a towline the relieved men were happy to be taken back to the ramp at Lions Park Woy Woy.

The volunteers of Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol maintain a marine radio listening watch 7 days a week to help maintain ‘Safety of Life at Sea’.

Two fishermen had a lucky escape when their 5.0m runabout capsized near West Reef around 1.30pm on Saturday (Anzac Day) when they were hit by a big wave while drifting for fish. The skipper of another vessel nearby saw the accident and used their VHF radio to call the Coastal Patrol Base at Point Clare. The report indicated that there could be three people in the heavy seas with 3 to 4 m waves.

Central Coast Lifeboat under command of Phil Swannel was immediately despatched to assist. As they raced to the scene, they were signalled by the crew of a 4.0m runabout north of the Rip Bridge indicating they needed assistance. The lifeboat crew radioed the base and Brisbane Water Lifeboat under command off Brian Warburton was sent to assist.

Central Coast Lifeboat arrived at West Reef about 2.00pm along with a Coastguard vessel from Cottage Point. The crews found that a Surf Lifesaver Rubber Duck had picked the two men from the breaking seas. They were initially put on board the Coastguard vessel, but then transferred to Central Coast Lifeboat. Both rescued men had minor injuries, and the beginning of hyperthermia. A Water Police RIB and two Police PWCs also arrived on scene.

The two men were taken to the Patrol base at Point Clare, and once treated were driven to the owner’s home in to collect a spare set of car keys, and then taken to the boat ramp at Woy Woy to collect their vehicle and trailer. Coastguard towed the capsized vessel to Lobster Beach where it was righted. Coastguard handed the vessel to the crew of Brisbane Water Lifeboat at about 4.30pm and it was taken to the Point Clare base for safekeeping. On Sunday, the lucky owner asked that the Patrol meet him with his vessel at Gosford Ramp to it could be collected.

Footnote: Brisbane Water Lifeboat located the other runabout with three men on board. The crew determined the boat had a mechanical failure and it was towed to Pretty Beach.

Coastal Patrol volunteers begin training as soon as they join the organisation, and the process is almost never ending. All training is competency based (CBT) and the skill levels meet or exceed the requirements for commercial and industrial operations. Coastal Patrol members are required to gain and maintain truly ‘professional’ competencies in all manner of boating and safety skills.

Saturday (April 18) was not the best of weather for recreational boating, with gale force winds and high seas forecast. It was, however, a good weekend for training.

Central Coast members were busy with Seamanship training on the Lifeboats, Marine Radio Training, Fire fighting training and use of fire extinguishers with assistance of the Rural Fire Service at Kariong and First Aid training at the Point Clare Base. What a way while away the hours.

Coastal Patrol volunteers train to be ready and able to meet the wide variety of incidents that occur on the water and helping keep our local boating community ‘safe’ at sea.

Rob Smith at the radio following instructions being given by trainer, Ken Sharp.

Gary Walker from Rural Fire Service ensures Pat Fayers has the right technique using the extinguisher

Coastal Patrol volunteers operate a continuous 24 hour radio watch on weekends and public holiday providing a marine safety net for the recreational boating community.

Easter Saturday began early for the volunteers when the Point Clare radio base had a call at 0630 from a 6.0m displacement motor cruiser reporting a mechanical failure. The skipper indicated that his engine temperature had risen suddenly and he had noted smoke from the engine hatch before closing the engine down. He suspected a failed water impellor. He reported his position as anchored east of West Reef, off Maitland Bay, at about the 20m line.

The Patrol’s duty lifeboat crew, Al Morris and Jim Robertson set out in Central Coast Lifeboat (shown above) to assist. Lack of GPS co-ordinates made it harder to identify the vessel among the many boats enjoying the offshore fishing, but the vessel was located after about 40 minutes. It was then taken in tow, bound for its berth at St Hubert’s Island. The three men aboard were disappointed that their day’s fishing had been aborted but grateful that help was readily available from the Patrol at their time of need.

On Easter Sunday, just after 09.30am a 9.0m yacht drifting and becalmed made a radio call seeking immediate assistance. The vessel, a visitor from Sydney with two people on board, could not use its engine because of a gearbox problem. The skipper was concerned that his vessel would drift onto the mudflats or Oyster leases in Paddy’s Channel. Skipper Alan Howes and the duty crew on Central Coast Lifeboat reached him in a few minutes, and, at his request, towed the yacht to Broken Bay where there was sufficient breeze to enable it to sail and begin its voyage home to Sydney.

Easter is always a popular time for boating and it’s essential to make sure your boat is ‘water safe’ by checking it thoroughly before heading out. Several recent incidents along the NSW coast have been near misses for some very lucky people who learned the hard way that basic safety precautions are essential every time you go boating.

Coastal Patrol Officer Commanding, Commodore Peter Phillipson ESM, is urging all recreational boaties to take care on the water over this Easter holiday period. Commodore Phillipson said, “The first responsibility of every skipper is the safety of all people on board but unfortunately, things can go wrong at the most unexpected time. It can happen very quickly and it can happen to the most experienced boatie. A few commonsense precautions can make a lifesaving difference in the event of a mishap.”

“Already this year a number of people have discovered the hard way the importance of EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), life jackets and logging on to your local Volunteer Marine Rescue Organisation”, said Commodore Phillipson.

“In January, 3 men were in a boat that capsized 11 nautical miles off Merimbula. Although they were able to radio for help they were unable to provide their position. They all were wearing life jackets but if they had had an EPIRB aboard they could have been rescued within 30 minutes. As it turned out the operation took 6 hours and nightfall was just setting in when they were spotted by a search aircraft on its last run for the day! A 406 EPIRB on board is compulsory when boating 2 nautical miles offshore, but they are also strongly recommended even for inshore boating.”

“In an incident off Shoalhaven on March 29, a boat capsized with 2 adults and 2 children on board and all had to swim to nearby rocks sustaining cuts and abrasions as they clambered to safety. Only the children were wearing lifejackets. In Narooma two weeks earlier, three people were thrown into the water when their boat capsized on the Narooma Bar (picture above). They all were wearing lifejackets.”

“Each of these incidents had safe, happy endings and demonstrate why all adults should set an example by wearing lifejackets on their boats.”

“Good planning will help ensure safe, happy boating for Easter.” Commodore Phillipson said. “Use your radio to log on with your local volunteers to stay in the Volunteer Marine Rescue Safety Net. It takes just a few minutes, and it means there is someone responsible, who knows who you are, where you’re going and when you are due back. It’s a simple procedure to ensure that if something does go wrong a response team is in a position to assist – aided by information that could be vital to a speedy rescue.”

A 21’ yacht was broken from its mooring and swept onto rocks at Tascott on Tuesday night in the storm conditions that prevailed. The owner sought assistance from Coastal Patrol today and Brisbane Water Lifeboat was deployed with Norm Smith and Peter Ashworth aboard.

The yacht was well ashore with part of its stern completely out of the water on the rocks. There was a big high tide (1.72m) in the early hours of Wednesday morning and this has left the yacht high and dry. Lines were attached and an anchor with buoy set into deep water. The lifeboat crew returned shortly after 1530 in the hope that the high tide (1.22m) combined with the southerly chop would provide sufficient depth of water to enable the vessel to be towed back to safety.

The crew were successful in their endeavours and with assistance from the owner on shore using a line from the mast-top to tilt the yacht to lay the vessel over to minimise the depth of the keel the yacht was moved to deep water and then towed to a safe mooring at the Coastal Patrol Base at Point Clare.

The wet and bedraggled volunteer lifeboat crew were grateful for a cup of tea once back at the base.

Around 5.00pm on Saturday evening (March 21) the Point Clare radio room at Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol received a 27 MHz radio call for assistance from the skipper of a 4.8m outboard runabout. The vessel, with two people on board, had run out of fuel and was stranded about 1Km east of Box Head.

Brisbane Water Lifeboat, skippered by Ted Leeson and crewed by Kevin O’Sullivan and Denis Byrne was despatched to assist. The runabout was located about and required a long tow back to Lions Park at Woy Woy. The lifeboat skipper reports that the depth channel between Lobster Beach and Half Tide Rocks during the tow, about 6.30pm and just two hours after the high tide was only registering 0.7m. This low depth is considered too shallow for most keel boats and boat owners should take note of the dangerous situation that has developed in this part of the channel.

At 9.20am on Sunday morning (March 22) the radio room heard a general call for assistance from a vessel that stated it was near the Broken Bay FAD (Offshore Fish Attracting Device) and seeking help due to a flat battery. The Patrol operator responded to the call but the vessel’s reply was not heard, likely because of the flat battery. The Patrol issued an ‘All Stations’ marine radio call seeking help or information from others vessels offshore near the FAD that is located about 10Km east of Broken Bay. Another boat in the area responded, went to the area, found the vessel and relayed radio messages back to the Patrol Base. With accurate information available the Patrol then contacted Broken Bay Water Police who went to the rescue.

The Patrol’s duty radio operators were busy much of Sunday as yachts in the Gosford Sailing Club’s offshore race to Terrigal and back logged in and maintained contact during the race.

Around 0800 on Friday March 6 Brisbane Water Lifeboat with Terry Reynolds as coxswain and Kevin Sullivan as crew was despatched to assist a half cabin cruiser with one man onboard who called Coastal Patrol at Gosford because he had broken down near Lion Island.

Radio Operator, Ian Gallard, advised that the skipper said his position was just north of Lion Island. After searching in that area the lifeboat crew could not find a sole sailor or any boat. They called the mobile and the skipper said he was between the ‘tail’ of Lion Island and the entry to Hawkesbury River. The crew rounded Lion Island but no boat was visible. They again called the skipper and he said he could not see the lifeboat. He then asked me if Palm Beach was in the Hawkesbury, and he was advised, no it is in Pittwater. He then said, well then I am between that and Lion Island. We found him east of Lion Island, between the head of the Lion and Barrenjoey lighthouse, and successfully towed him to Patonga Ramp.

Watch Officer, Mike Eckford called the boat crew out again about 1930 on Friday night to assist a half cabin runabout from near Rip Bridge to Lintern Wharf. It was a successful night tow.

On Saturday evening around 1900 hours duty radio operator, Terry Reynolds, received a radio call from a boat with engine troubles. The skipper said he was near Lion Island. When asked if he had his anchor down he replied no, and it was suggested that it should be deployed.

He was asked if he had a GPS to determine where he was and he replied that he did not. He was asked if he had a depth sounder and he said yes, and he advised that the water 129 feet deep. He then said he thought he was about 3 kilometres off the second beach from the lighthouse. This we worked out would be Whale Beach and the chart showed 40 metres about 3 kilometres off. We contacted Broken Bay Water Police and they indicated they would assist the vessel. We contacted the boat to en sure the anchor had set and they were not drifting, and let them know help was on the way. Before long, the Water Police contacted the base to advise they had the boat in tow and requesting that the lifeboat meet at Box Head to take the tow as the boat had to go to Gosford Ramp.

Central Coast Lifeboat with Brent Malcolm as coxswain met the Water Police at the Wagstaffe side of Half Tide Rocks and transferred the tow. The disabled vessel was taken to Gosford Boat Ramp.

It sure would be helpful if those who venture onto the waterways knew where they were, perhaps a ‘gift’ of a GPS should be on the agenda, or even a good chart of the area.

All applicants for an initial General Boat Drivers Licence must first complete a compulsory Boating Safety Course before the licence test can be attempted.

From 1 June 2009 NSW Maritime Authority have introduced a change of conditions making it compulsory to provide evidence of practical boating experience before the licence test can be attempted. Applicants will have to maintain a logbook to record their boating experience before they can sit the licence test. Logbooks and details are available from NSW Maritime offices.

To meet the increased demand from the boating community who are seeking a licence before 1 June Coastal Patrol have doubled the number of Boating Safety Courses and Boat Licence tests to be held before the deadline. Courses will be held on two Saturdays each month.

Those wishing to complete a compulsory Boating Safety Course should contact the Patrol Base at Point Clare, 4325 7929, to reserve a place on the first available Course

The volunteers at Coastal Patrol Central Coast Division were only called out once for assistance on the weekend. Around 1030 hours on Sunday, an 11.0m yacht with a family of three onboard called the Point Clare radio base seeking help as they had run aground near the exit from Hardy’s Bay. The matter was somewhat urgent as the tide was falling and their situation could only get worse. Skipper Ted Leeson and his crew on Brisbane Water Lifeboat hurried to the location and used various techniques to help free the yacht’s keel from the mud and tow the boat safely to deeper water. The relieved family decided to return to their mooring rather than risk a further grounding.

To assist those with a marine radio who are not familiar with the controls and protocols Coastal Patrol offers a ‘hands-on’ two-hour course each month. The trainer, Ian Leafe reports, “I only had one starter on Saturday, a lady in her 70s with a bossy skipper as a husband, but at the end she stated the course was very beneficial, and had possibly saved her marriage.” Coastal Patrol suggests anyone who ventures out on a boat should be ready and able to use the radio, particularly in an emergency when the skipper may be otherwise occupied.

For information on the Radio Familiarisation Course or other Coastal Patrol marine education call the base on 4325 7929.

Around 3.15pm on Wednesday the volunteer radio operator at the Point Clare marine radio base of Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol received a phone call seeking help for a 5.5m half-cabin runabout that was disabled. The caller said that the skipper had phoned home to ask that help be arranged for his vessel and those on board.

The duty operator was given a mobile phone number to enable direct contact with the boat’s skipper. It was determined that the outboard motor had ‘lost’ its propeller and the boat was drifting seawards from Flint and Steel Point in Broken Bay. The seas were quite ‘sloppy’ in the 20 knot southerly wind. The skipper was advised to lay an anchor and keep a lookout for Central Coast Lifeboat that would immediately be sent to assist.

When the lifeboat, skippered by Peter Ashworth, arrived the three men on board expressed relief. They had no marine radio fitted in their vessel and mobile phone reception was intermittent in the area. At their request they were towed to safety at Dark Corner at Patonga. The lifeboat crew finally got back to base at 5.20pm.

The Coastal Patrol strongly recommends that all vessels be fitted with a marine radio to enable contact with a marine radio base or other nearby vessels in an emergency. A mobile phone should be considered only as a back-up system, particularly if you have not recorded the phone number of the emergency service required.

Coastal Patrol volunteers had a busy weekend with rescues on both Saturday and Sunday. The lone skipper aboard an 8.0m cruiser in Caroline Bay radioed for help on Saturday around 2.30 when his engine failed. Skipper Ken Sharp and the crew on Brisbane Water Lifeboat towed the vessel to the Gosford Ramp.

While that tow was underway another radio call was received from a 7.5m vessel without fuel at Lobster Beach. Central Coast Lifeboat with Phil Page at the helm towed the boat and the five people onboard to Central Wharf at Davistown.

The first call for assistance on Sunday was at 7.00 am. A 5.5m runabout with two men onboard phoned from Paddy’s Channel seeking help due to a flat battery. Duty skipper Norm Smith and the crew on Brisbane Water Lifeboat assisted with a jump start to get them on their way.

At 7.45 am the Point Clare Base received a phone call for help Gosford Police seeking help for a 6.0m runabout at East Reef. The man onboard reported a mechanical problem. The base tasked the lifeboat from Coast Guard Cottage Point for the initial pick-up, and the crew on Brisbane Water Lifeboat took over the tow at Box Head.

Central Coast Lifeboat was on the water early on the morning of Monday Jan 5 to provide help to the eco friendly vessel, Earthrace, that is visiting Gosford until Wednesday.

Earthrace is a trimaran of unusual design. She is 24m LOA, with an 8m Beam and a 1.4m draft. She is powered by twin 500 HP Cummins engines that burn bio-diesel.

The Coastal Patrol crew guided the vessel through the ocean bar at Little Box Head and through Half Tide Rocks then provided an escort to its planned berth at Iguana Joes where she will be open for public inspection on Tuesday and Wednesday

The volunteer radio operator on duty at the Point Clare Base received a phone call around 3.00pm on Sunday from an anxious mother. Her extended family, including four small children were in Broken Bay just west of Lion Island. She had received a call by mobile phone from the boat indicating that they could not start the engine on the 6.0m cruiser and needed help.

The operator, Penny Giersch, re-assured the caller that the Patrol would assist, and then called Central Coast Lifeboat to assign the task to the crew. The lifeboat reached the cruiser and completed the 70-minute tow back to Lions Park at Woy Woy without further incident. Once the family were back across the Bar at Little Box Head the Base phoned the anxious mother to report progress and assure her that her family was safe.

It was noted that the cruiser had a marine radio fitted but no one on board was able to operate the radio. If the skipper’s mobile phone had been out of range or had a low battery, the routine assistance could not have been provided. Coastal Patrol willing assists anyone who needs help to learn how to operate a marine radio.

Over the weekend the lifeboat crews saw many boats crossing the bar at Box Head. It is compulsory, and commonsense, to wear a life when crossing the Bar. Bar crossings are one on the most dangerous activities on the water and a common cause of fatalities on the water. It is unthinkable to drive a car without using a seatbelt. A lifejacket is the seatbelt of a boat, yet of the many boats seen only one crew were observed using their lifejackets on the Bar.

Coastal Patrol’s Central Coast Division were called out to assist ten people during the weekend.

The first call came around 8.00am on Saturday from a ski boat in Waterfall Bay (off Woy Woy Bay). Phil Page, Gordon Kerr and Peter Ashworth aboard Brisbane Water Lifeboat found five people sitting on the beach with a 5.0m ski boat with a flat battery. The Patrol crew were able to ‘jump-start’ the boat and then monitored there progress to ensure all was well.

At 11.25 pm on Saturday night, just when most of us were tucked up in bed, Newcastle Police Radio Room contacted the Point Clare Base. “Could we send a lifeboat to Ettalong to assist a family from Auburn in a 5.0m runabout. Their vessel had a mechanical failure and there was concern for safety as a storm front was imminent.” Ian Brown and Norm Smith immediately set-out in Brisbane Water Lifeboat. The vessel and family of three were located and towed to safety at Blackwall Ramp.

On Sunday morning at around 9.00 am a call was received from a 7.3 m ½ -cabin launch located just off Box Head. It was unable to proceed due to a mechanical failure. The duty crew, Ken Sharp, Peter Alderton and Kevin Sullivan in Brisbane Water Lifeboat found the disabled vessel with two people onboard. It was towed back to its berth at St Hubert’s Island.

Coastal Patrol applauds Minister’s Announcement

on Volunteer Marine Rescue

The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, Australia’s oldest volunteer marine rescue organisation, applauds the announcement on Friday Nov 28 from the Minister for Ports and Waterways, Joe Tripodi (left), that the government will establish a new, single volunteer marine rescue organisation in NSW.

Officer Commanding of Coastal Patrol, Commodore Peter Phillipson (right), said “The Minister’s announcement sees the beginning of a more effective, more efficient structure for volunteer marine rescue in Australia. This is the implementation of recommendations made in The Price Report, a lengthy examination of volunteer marine rescue services in NSW conducted earlier this year. The government will establish the new organisation to be called NSW Marine Rescue. Members of the existing organisations, Coastal Patrol, Coast Guard and Volunteer Rescue Association, will be invited to join and create a single, unified rescue organisation that will provide an integrated marine rescue service for the large recreational boating community in NSW.”

“The Coastal Patrol provided a detailed recommendation to the Price Inquiry. In this we declared that we would willingly give up our name, which has a proud 71 year history, and roll our resources into a new organisation. This is like starting from a clean sheet of paper to create a first class organisation whose responsibility is to look forward.” said Commodore Phillipson. “Nothing will change our history and even with a new name we’ll always know where we’ve come from. But more importantly, as a single organisation the volunteers will now be able to plan ahead more effectively to know where we’re going.”

NSW is the biggest boating state in Australia with more than 445,000 licensed boat drivers and over 214,000 boats registered – with thousands more small boats that do not require registration. There are three volunteer marine rescue organisations in NSW; the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol with 25 accredited units; Australian Volunteer Coast Guard with 17 and the VRA with 14. A new single organisation will enable a proper review to be undertaken and resources co-ordinated for greater efficiency and better allocation of government funds.

“The annual operating cost for the Coastal Patrol alone is around $3 million. In the past, we have received only around 10% of our costs from the state government,” said Commodore Phillipson. “Yet the volunteers are responsible for an average of 70% of all rescues. Our members put in more than 700,000 personnel hours each year. That represents over $20 million in value for the government as we deliver marine safety education, marine radio communication and search & rescue services which the government has the responsibility to provide to the NSW community.”

“The government’s initiative will not only see a better service for the boating public, it will also create a more equitable and realistic structure for the volunteers. The Coastal Patrol congratulates Minister Tripodi and the NSW government on starting this process in 2007 and bringing it to this positive stage in just over a year,” said Commodore Phillipson. “We now look forward to working with the government and our colleagues in Coast Guard and VRA to create the new organisation. There is a two year time frame for this and I want to assure the boating community that during this time the Coastal Patrol and our colleagues will continue to provide our services to ensure safety of life at sea.”

Details of the Governments response to the Price Report and to the Public's submissions may be found on the NSW Maritime website www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Members of Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol joined with many other community groups in the welcome to Santa and parade at Woy Woy on Sunday 24 November. Santa rode in a white sled drawn by two white horses on his way to Deepwater Plaza. Coastal Patrol Division Commander, Patricia Fayers, rode in ‘half’ a Patrol Boat indicating the Division's need for support by the community to ‘help’ afford the ‘other half’ of the boat.

Coastal Patrol Lifeboats from three Divisions, Central Coast, Broken Bay and Hawkesbury, worked together to the safety of local recreational boaters on Sunday Nov 9. Three Central Coast lifeboats were joined by the lifeboat, Harry Gatliff, from Hawkesbury Division to act as Safety and Spectator Control vessels for the Ski Races being conducted on Brisbane Water. Around 10.30am the Point Clare Radio Base received an urgent call for assistance from an 5.6m Bertram ½ Cabin cruiser out at the 42m mark about 2.0 Km off Palm Beach (near Bolton’s Reef.) There were two persons on board. The skipper reported that they had a hole in their port fuel tank and that the starboard tank was leaking. The duty radio officer recommended they anchor and await assistance. As the Central Coast Lifeboat was already ‘on duty’, arrangements were made for the Broken Bay Division Lifeboat, P & O Nedlloyd Strathallan, to undertake the rescue.

Broken Bay Lifeboat, 'P&O Nedlloyd Strathallan' with the Bertram in tow off Little Box Head prior to the hand-over to Central Coast Lifeboat

Central Coast Lifeboat, with Norm Smith and Ken Sharp aboard, were relieved of Ski Race duties to meet the Broken Bay crew at Little Box Head, where they took over the tow back to the launching ramp at Blackwall.

The radio room received another phone call at about 11.30 am from a concerned parent. He was seeking assistance for two teenagers in a 3.5m runabout broken down at the Rip Bridge and unable to get back to the Lintern Street Ramp. Centaco 3, with Rob Smith and Peter Alderton onboard, was temporarily diverted from its Ski Race duties to tow the vessel back the ramp.

An excited winner and keen fisherman, Allen Melene, was at the Coastal Patrol marine radio base at Point Clare on Wednesday morning to collect his prize, a 3.5m Quintrex runabout complete with registered boat trailer, Mercury motor and safety equipment.

As he accepted his prize from Division Commander Patricia Fayers, Allen said, ‘That’s pretty good boat for $10’. The ten dollars represents the investment he made to assist the Patrol and he has finished up as the winner of the 2008 Boat Raffle.

Allen recently moved to the Central Coast from Putney. He is currently living at Umina while building at Somersby.

Funds raised will be used to fund ongoing Patrol operational costs such as fuel, phone and electricity.

Chris Holstein, Mayor of Gosford City Council, was at Deepwater Plaza at 3.00pm on Sunday 3 November to draw the Boat Raffle for Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol. The funds raised by this annual raffle are critical for the ongoing operations of the Division on the Central Coast. CMDR Patricia Fayers and Admin Officer, Ian Gallard looked on, waiting for the winning ticket.

Marine Rescue in NSW is the responsibility of the NSW Government. About 70% of all marine rescues are undertaken by volunteer marine rescue organisations that remain virtually unsupported by the State Government that is still ‘considering’ the recommendations of an independent report by the Hon John Price on integration and financial support of volunteer marine organisations.

Chris pulled out ticket number 01330 in the name of Allen Melene. When contacted by Division Commander an excited Mr Melene indicated he would be ’around to collect his boat and trailer on Wednesday’.

Rescued vessel in tow behind Central Coast Lifeboat, as crew members, Warren Goodsell and Tony Long keep a careful watch

In a run out tide and with a fair southerly breeze Coastal Patrol’s Central Coast Lifeboats were training crews on the coastal bar at Little Box Head early on Saturday afternoon. Ron Cole and his crew on Central Coast Lifeboat, Terry Reynolds, Tony Long and Warren Goodsell had completed three runs when they were approached by lifesaver on a Jet Ski. ‘Could we help quickly please, there is a runabout in trouble just near the break at Pearl Beach.’

The Jet Ski headed back directly across the sand bars to the boat and the lifeboat went to sea across the bar and then rushed back towards Pearl Beach. The Jet Ski managed to keep the boat out of trouble, even so, as the Central Coast Lifeboat approached the Westpac helicopter appeared overhead.

The 5.3m runabout had two people from Holgate on board, a father and his young son. They had fouled a line that had wrapped around a shaft. The boat was partly swamped and the man's mobile phone was damaged. To attract help they had set off an orange flare and the lifesavers had responded.

The Patrol crew took the boat in tow and brought it and its crew safely back to Lions Park at Woy Woy, ending an anxious afternoon.

The 2008 Putt Putt Regatta and Community Fair were held at Davistown on Sunday October 26^th. Coast Patrol members were ‘on duty’ in numbers at the Putt Putt Community Fair, where the Central Coast Division had an information tent, offered raffle tickets in their Annual Boat Raffle, sold cold drinks and the inevitable Patrol fund raiser, the sausage sandwich.

At one stage during the day the Division had 35 orange shirted members working on the stand or on the Lifeboats that were ‘on hand’ to assist with on water safety during the Putt Putt Regatta.

Division Commander, Patricia Fayers said, “The team in safety orange was a very impressive sight, and they all worked very hard. We lost count of the number of soft drinks we sold, what we do know is that we sold 40kgs of sausages or 400 sausage sandwiches. That’s more than 44 loaves of bread and ten kilos of onions.“

While the final result of the Division’s efforts will not be known until all the finances have been sorted out, the members are grateful for the fantastic support from the community, and delighted that they have raised some much needed funds to finance the Division’s Search and Rescue operations over the busy summer months

DEMANDING WEEKEND FOR COASTAL PATROL

The volunteers on duty at Central Coast Division had little time to enjoy the great weekend on the water.

On Saturday (18^th) around 4.00pm, Phil Swannel and his crew on Central Coast Lifeboat responded to a call fro help from a 4.0m runabout at Kourung Gourong Point (Wagstaffe). The disabled vessel with four on board required a tow home to Kincumber Creek. The lifeboat was immediately required at Wagstaffe again at 5.00 pm to assist a 5.0m runabout with seven people on board. Their boat had a mechanical failure and it was towed to Gosford boat ramp.

During the same time period, the radio operators were anxious about a runabout that was 3.0 hours overdue after a fishing trip to ‘Texas’ (a fishing spot about 15nm east of Crackneck). The operators received assistance from four vessels from Bateau Bay Fishing Club that were in the vicinity. It was determined that the vessel was safe, it had a problem with its marine radio and the owner’s mobile phone battery had ‘run out’. At 7.30pm, the vessel finally reported that they were safe in Terrigal Haven.

Skipper Brian Warburton was duty coxswain on Sunday morning at 08.25 and responded to a call from a vessel with mechanical trouble off Iron Ladder Beach. The vessel with three people on board was towed to the Blackwall Boat Ramp.

Central Coast Lifeboat, with Anthony Porter in charge, was called out again at 3.00pm to assist three young women aground at Point Clare in a launch hired from Ettalong. They had run out of fuel.

Mean while many of the ‘off duty’ coxswains and boat crew were at the swimming pool at Mingara undertaking a liferaft and swimming training course for ongoing accreditation. A volunteer’s life can be most demanding.

On the hottest day of the year, Friday 3 October, cold champagne christened the latest addition to Coastal Patrol’s rescue vessels in NSW. In front of a large crowd present at the Patrol’s Point Clare Base for the ceremony, including newly elected Mayor of Gosford, Chris Holstein, and visitors from Lake Macquarie, Hawkesbury River and Sydney, Marie Andrews MP, Member for Gosford named the new boat ‘Central Coast Lifeboat’.

The new lifeboat is a 7.45m plate aluminium monohull built by Seatamer Marine at Redhead. The vessel is powered by a 310Hp Yanmar diesel engine that drives a 241 Hamilton Jet. The vessel has power take off for pump outs and fire fighting and a full complement of electronic aids and marine radios. The Central Coast Division raised the entire $110000 funds required by its own efforts and the generous support of its fundraising activities by the local community. Central Coast Lifeboat replaces Gosford Lifeboat that was scrapped when non-repairable electrolysis was discovered in the vessels bottom plating and frames.

Padre of Central Coast Division, Rev Tom Hill, blessed the vessel and gave thanks for the work of the Patrol and its volunteer members.

Deputy Officer Commanding, CDRE Simon Denneen, in his address. said, ‘Last year Central Coast Division was faced with the crushing reality that its Category 2 (offshore) lifeboat would have to be replaced and that they would need to raise around $100,000 in a short space of time – a feat that is difficult even in prosperous times. Driven by their dedication to duty, Central Coast Division was able to raise the funds and here, before us, is the result - a brand new vessel that will serve the Central Coast community well.’

Denneen presented the vessel’s Commissioning Certificate to the Division Administration Officer, Lt.CMDR Ian Gallard.

More than fifty people from a wide range of organisations, including recreational boat owners, and representatives from Gosford Sailing Club, Council Lifeguards, Brisbane Water Marine Watch, Terrigal Sea Rescue, Central Coast Game Fishing Club, Norah Head Sea Rescue and members from Coastal Patrol Divisions at Gosford, Terrigal, Hawkesbury, Lake Macquarie and Sydney attended a presentation by Arthur Heather, Senior Search and Rescue Officer with AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Service) on Friday 3 October at the Patrol Base at Point Clare.

Arthur Heather described Australia’s responsibilities for Search and Rescue (SAR)how the Rescue C-ordination Centre (RCC) in Canberra works and the role of the various agencies involved in SAR are utilised effectively in rescue operations. The RCC operates 24 hours a day and is responsible for national coordination of both maritime and aviation SAR. The RCC has dedicated SAR Dornier 328 turbo-prop aircraft operating from strategic locations around Australia. The RCC has responsibilities for about 1/10^th of the earth’s surface, some 250 million square kilometres of the Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans.

The one-hour presentation was well received by an interested and involved audience. Arthur’s personal anecdotal information on many recent SAR incidents provided an understanding of the breadth and scope of the RCC involvement and the expertise of the specialists responsible.

Arthur emphasised the importance of carrying both a Type 406 EPIRB (Electronic Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon) on vessels and a Type 406 PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) when acting as crew on boats. EPIRBs float in the water and are activated if the vessel is in distress. PLBs are designed for personal use in either land or marine activities. When activated, beacons transmit a signal that is detectable by satellites and overflying aircraft. If a signal is detected the satellites report its position to rescue authorities, who in turn call-out the SAR services such as Water Police of Coastal Patrol. Arthur indicated that he would not venture offshore without a PLB and all vessels heading offshore must carry an EPIRB.

TEENAGERS STRANDED OVERNIGHT AT SARATOGA

Three teenage boys aboard a 3.0m aluminium dinghy were stranded over Saturday night (Sept 27) at isolated Saratoga Point due to mechanical failure of their outboard engine. The outboard had a broken shear pin. A shear pin is installed in the drive train and is designed to break in the case of a mechanical overload, preventing other, more-expensive parts of the drive train from being damaged. The shear pin is attached to marine engines propeller shaft. The boys had tried to row their boat home to Tascott but they found that the windy conditions made progress impossible.

The Patrol’s marine radio base received a phone call around 9.00am from a local resident seeking assistance for the boys. Stephen van Bruegel and his crew, Mike Eckford and Cameron Veacock attended in Brisbane Water Lifeboat. They found the uninjured boys and towed their boat back to their home jetty and a relieved father at Tascott.

Volunteers from Coastal Patrol were on Central Coast Lifeboat training when around 3.30pm they received a call for assistance from a yacht that had just completed a race from Sydney to Broken Bay. Gosford Sailing Club ran two offshore races over the weekend, the first on Saturday from Gosford to Sydney and the return leg on Sunday, from Sydney to Broken Bay.

The 34’ yacht had reached the finish line and then discovered a mechanical failure as the crew started the engine to cross the bar at Little Box Head at the entrance to Brisbane Water. The water pump impeller on the yacht’s engine had failed. The bar is very dangerous at present and in urgent need of dredging to enable safe entry and egress from Brisbane Water. For safe entry the yacht needed assistance to cross the bar and then required a tow to its berth at Gosford Sailing Club.

Duty Coxswain Ian Brown and his crew on Gosford Lifeboat (Norm Smith, Kevin Sullivan and John Randall) were quickly ‘on the job’ and Central Coast Lifeboat took the stricken vessel for its 2-hour tow to Gosford.

The yacht race ended in fashion quite different to that anticipated by the yacht’s crew.

The surf was up on Sunday at the Bar at Little Box Head, with confused heavy seas, waves on the bar running at 3-4m, and an occasional breaking wave on the bar. Just after 2.00pm, the training officers of Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol had both the Division’s lifeboats at the Bar, one for safety of the Patrol crews being trained and the other in use training lifeboat crews in the techniques of safely crossing the Bar in bad conditions.

Ken Sharp (pictured), senior coxswain and trainer was in control of the exercise and the safety lifeboat. He noticed a 3.95m aluminium boat entering the bar behind the second lifeboat and crew being trained. Ken radioed the lifeboat crew to alert them of the vessel that was behind them on the Bar. As the crew turned to watch, the tinny’s engine stopped, one of those on board frantically tried to restart its engine, and the others began to row. In the conditions, the ungainly tinny was heading for certain disaster.

The crew on the lifeboat on the bar immediately made an emergency turn, good seamanship in the conditions and sped to the tinny. They learned that the fuel line on the boat had broken and those on board were literally rowing for safety. The three men were surfers who had come from Pittwater to enjoy the big surf on the Box Head Bar. They had their surfboards on board the stricken vessel.

They gratefully accepted assistance and the lifeboat quickly took them in tow and to safety just off Lobster Beach. After a discussion, they asked that they be taken to Ettalong ramp where a car could come from the northern beaches to collect them, their boat and surf boards.

In the conditions prevailing, these men were very lucky that the Patrol vessels were training at the time they attempted to cross the bar with their broken down boat, as disaster could have overtaken them at any moment.

SEA SAFETY AND SEARCH & RESCUE IN AUSTRALIA

In the interest of the safety of the local recreational boating community, and to promote its objectives of ‘Safety of Life at Sea’, Central Coast Division has arranged a public presentation on ‘Australian Search and Rescue’ at its Point Clare Base at 11.00am on 3 October 2008.

The topics to be covered include AMSA – its structure and personnel and Emergency Response Centre, SAR responsibility in Australia, Air and Sea Assets used in SAR, Maritime Distress and Safety Systems, the future of SAR and some AMSA case studies.

The presenter will be Arthur M Heather, Senior Search and Rescue Officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Service (AMSA). Arthur is based at AMSA’s Emergency Response Centre in Canberra, and he is responsible for the coordination of marine and aviation search and rescue incidents within Australia’s Search and Rescue (SAR) region.

Prior to joining AMSA Arthur Heather was a naval aviator (Lieutenant Commander) with his last posting serving on HMAS Adelaide where he was Flight Commander. His military career comprised 20-years with the RAAF including seven years flying P3C Orion aircraft and 20-years with the RAN including flying Seahawk helicopters and submarine special operation tours.

The presentation will commence at the Patrol’s Point Clare Base at the end of Kurrawa Avenue Point Clare. Entry will be by $note or gold coins donation. Seating is limited and boaties who wish to attend are recommended to call the base on 4325 7929 and reserve a seat.

Central Coast Division of Coastal Patrol assisted four vessels but attended only three incidents over last weekend. Late afternoon on Friday the Point Clare Radio Base was contacted by the skipper of a 5.5m centre-console runabout anchored near the Rip Bridge. The vessel’s gearbox had failed, there were five people (and a dog) on board. They asked for help to get back to the ramp at Blackwall. Brian Warburton and Patrick Kearney responded to the call on Brisbane Water Lifeboat and soon had boat and crew safely to the destination.

Early afternoon Sunday the Base received a request to assist another 6.0m runabout that had broken down at Coaster’s Retreat in Pittwater. Coastal Patrol Broken Bay collected the vessel that had two adults and a child onboard. Broken Bay’s lifeboat towed the boat to Little Box Head where it was passed over to Brisbane Water Lifeboat skippered by Alan Howes. The stricken vessel was then towed to the ramp at Koolewong. The owner’s bad luck continued as he found that he had left his car head-lights on and now had a car with a flat battery as well as a boat with a problem. He used the boat battery to start the car to get home.

Not long after the strong westerly hit during Sunday afternoon the crew on Central Coast Lifeboat who were training with the boats fire-fighting gear on the Broadwater were tasked by the Base to assist two trawlers, one 38’ and one 30’, with three men on board. The trawlers were in trouble at Pretty Beach. Both vessels had broken free of their mooring in the strong winds and were in danger of being stranded on the foreshore. The trawlers were rafted together, and only one had an operational motor. The lifeboat, skippered by Ron Cole towed both vessels into the channel and they were then able to proceed to a safe berth in Booker Bay under their own power.


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