Role of the Volunteer Marine Rescue
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Objectives of the Marine RescueThe objectives of the Marine Rescue include:
a) to encourage mariners and other persons interested in seamanship and safety of life at sea as volunteers for the benefit of the public:
(i) to assist Marine Rescue NSW in the attainment of its objects;
(ii) to assist public authorities entrusted or connected with the administration or regulation of maritime affairs; and
(iii) to undertake as students and as teachers courses of training in seamanship, radio operation and matters pertaining thereto;
b) to assist or cooperate with any authority concerned or entrusted with the defence of Australia;c) to bring together mariners and all persons interested in small ships so that they might acquire a better understanding of small ships;
d) by precept and example to train and educate mariners so that waterways may be made safer for those who navigate upon them in small ships;
e) to carry out either at the request or the direction of any authority concerned or otherwise maritime rescue work and to train personnel for such work;
f) to carry out any rescue work or other service of a public or community nature; and
g) to do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.
Resources required for Operations
To implement the roles listed above each Marine Rescue Unit must have, or have access to, the following resources:
a) A Marine Radio Base, properly equipped, that maintains a listening watch on maritime radio frequencies as required under their ACMA licence for Marine Coast Stations. Each Unit must also have annual accreditation from the NSW State Rescue Board.
b) Licensed Marine Radio Operators with appropriate Marine Rescue operational training.
c) Search and Rescue Boats,
Uses of the Search and Rescue Vessels
Rescue Boats are required for:
• Search and Rescue operations
• Rescue crew training
• Crowd control/safety vessels at special events
• Joint operations/training with other emergency services
• General duty water ambulance service
Uses of Marine Rescue Motor Vehicles/Caravans
Vehicles are used for:
• Mobile Emergency Radio Base for SAR operations
• Transport/towing rescue vessels and equipment for fast response
• Mobile public relations displaysInteragency Liaisons
Marine Rescue all levels liaises closely with:
• Police, especially Water Police, to providing marine search and rescue services, for which the chain of Marine Coast Stations are a vitally important element
• NSW Waterways Authority responsible for the administration of ports and waterways;
• NSW Ambulance Service and provision of Water Ambulance Lifeboats where deemed appropriate,
• The Royal Australian Navy in connection with Naval Support roles
• State Fire and Rural Fire Authorities, both for implementation of fire fighting facilities and environmental activitiesMarine Rescue Head Office liaises and interacts with many other Federal and State Authorities.