2008 May - Volunteer Marine Rescue WA

VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE WA (Inc.)
NEWSLETTER MAY 2008
“Spirit of Bunbury II” and Naturaliste VMRs "Linley Scott"
assisting STS Leeuwin
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Page 2
EDITORS REPORT
Hello everyone
I would like to send a sincere thanks to all those
who have contributed to this newsletter and to the
previous newsletters and journals I have edited.
Your input has been really appreciated.
I have now been editor of the VMRWA for 4 years
and there have been times when it has been very
difficult producing a journal through a publisher.
While the newsletters I publish are my own creation
so to speak, (the Association pays for the printing
and distribution), the journals and diaries which are
published, occur with the assistance of a publishing
company who design, print and distribute the publications with no cost to the Association.
Until recently I have had difficulty finding a publisher
who is able to assist the Association in an ongoing
basis. I am hoping this issue is now resolved with
the assistance of Marsh Agencies.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
It was great to be able to attend the National Marine
Safety Conference in Adelaide recently along with
Roger Martin, Paul and Jeff.
Especially as Jeff had just returned from a holiday in
Africa, so you must remember to ask him about the
monkeys…
The conference focussed a lot on Commercial boating whereas the previous one was apparently more
recreational focussed.
What I found very interesting was that one presenter
very strongly pointed out that even volunteer groups
(including marine rescue) are legally considered a
workplace.
This leads back the topic I circulated not long ago
about appointing a “safety officer” and conducting a
safety audit of the “workplace”.
While I have never taken part in a rescue, I have
always felt that my position as a Volunteer Editor
within the Association is worthwhile and I hope I
have assisted you and your group relay information about your group to the public and other
groups within the Association.
For me, being a volunteer has been very satisfying, especially as it has been something I have enjoyed. I have a new respect for everyone who
works tirelessly within each group and within the
Association, as well as taking part in often difficult
rescues.
I have been proud to be a part of an Association
where each group shows dedication, commitment
and a community spirit even in stressful times.
All the best
Leona John
Proud Editor of the VMRWA publications and
VMRWA website - www.vmrwa.org.au
The identification, safeguarding and recording of
potential injury risk areas is very important for all
groups to undertake if not already done.
An area of immense concern is funding.
The State Government didn’t increase our grant
funding at all for this fiscal year, apparently because the grant was set four years ago for a five
year period.
This (understandably) neglected to consider increased cost in fuel, materials etc that may heavily
impact on service delivery and especially boat and
building projects.
I have corresponded with the Minister on this issue
and will advise on the outcome.
Regards
Phil Nicholls
President VMRWA
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Page 3
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Page 4
ROCKINGHAM VOLUNTEER SEA RESCUE
GROUP
BENEFITS OF RST EDUCATION HELP LOWER
INCIDENT RATE
Improved education of boat owners through the
introduction of the Recreational Skippers Ticket
seems to be impacting on the number of boating
incidents attended by Rockingham Volunteer Sea
Rescue Group.
From a yearly total of about 200 incidents attended in previous years, the total decreased to
126 in 2006, to 123 in 2007 and from January 1 to
April 10 this year there were 55 incidents. The
group considers that strong winds and rough seas
have also kept many boaties ashore during the
past summer season, contributing to the lower job
callout rate.
The tally for 2006, 2007 and 2008 so far has comprised searches for missing divers, overdue vessels, out of fuel and general mechanical breakdown retrievals, flare sightings, shark alert, tending injured boat crew and looking for a range of
sunken craft and others missing from moorings.
Day-trippers in danger of drowning when attempting to walk the sandbar between Mersey Point,
Shoalwater Bay and Penguin Island, have also
been rescued.
The second boat (TV2), built of fibreglass and
4.7m long, was donated to the group and is to
have a new 60hp two-stroke outboard motor fitted.
HQ IMPROVEMENTS
At RVSRG’s Point Peron headquarters an area
has been created at the rear of the building with a
bricked in BBQ to improve facilities for casual social events. More recently, further HQ improvements were undertaken with the assistance of a
Lotterywest grant.
Most of the money was used to establish a new
concrete parking apron at the front of the building,
improving access for radio operators, rescue boat
crews and other active members, especially at
night and during winter months. In addition, building security has been substantially upgraded and a
new photocopier purchased to improve many of
the group’s admin and printing tasks.
This year has seen a continuation of the Marine
Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency Course
conducted by group instructors and held on a
regular basis. These courses are well supported
by local boat owners and are a valuable recruiting
ground for RVSRG radio operators and home
base operators. The next course starts on May 6
and then continues for two nights a week over
three weeks, with the written exam on the final
night May 22.
The Rockingham group has continued to participate in a number of combined sea and aerial exercises conducted in Cockburn and Warnbro
Sounds with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and WA’s emergency rescue helicopter,
RAC Rescue 1, based at Jandakot Airport. These
exercises, which include the deployment of life
rafts and flares, the lowering and winching up of
paramedics, provide valuable training opportunities for RVSRG boat crews and skippers.
An important part of fund-raising has seen the
group continue to conduct theory and on-water assessment sessions to help boat owners and skippers obtain the RST, and to assist with the demand for RST on-water sessions, the group recently obtained a second small craft to support its
original 4.2m aluminium runabout training boat
designated TV1.
RVSRG’s ageing 8m vessel “Alpha 1” in action,
near the causeway to Garden Island, Point Peron.
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Page 5
BOAT WORRY
Recent concerns have included the ageing condition
of the group’s main 8m-rescue boat, “Alpha 1”. The
vessel was purchased 2nd hand in 2004 and had previously seen several years of duty as a patrol boat
with the WA Government’s Marine Safety division.
Because of the demand for rescue work and ongoing
crew training requirements “Alpha 1” is used on most
days, often having to tow heavy vessels back from
long distances out to sea and operate in and around
the reefs surrounding Garden and Penguin Islands
and other nearby small islands.
A growing number of much bigger and heavier private
craft are now travelling between Busselton, Bunbury
and Mandurah to Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Hillarys
and points further north, adding to Rockingham’s
workload for its moderate size rescue boat. Although
“Alpha 1” is supported by a smaller 6.6m inshore craft,
“Bravo 1”, many Rockingham region residents are
also upgrading to bigger boats and regularly venturing
from 15 to more than 20nm out to sea on fishing trips.
The resultant wear and tear to “Alpha 1” and its equipment, together with necessary regular maintenance
and repairs to its engine and associated components,
means there are extensive periods of downtime.
There is also concern that long periods of continual
use, especially during long, heavy tows by the ageing
rescue boat, will cause an engine breakdown at sea
or near reefs putting lives at risk.
OTHER NEWS
Recently four RVSRG boat crew completed their
SARCO course conducted by the Water Police at
Fremantle, while a number of other active members are scheduled to undertake their refresher
first-aid course in May.
The group has a close relationship with the Advance Life Ambulance Service based in Rockingham and at a recent training night, paramedics
gave a presentation to active members on CPR
and hypothermia.
In a further development, the group has bought a
trailer from Coca Cola which is being cleaned, repainted and renovated for serving cold drinks, barbequed meat in bread rolls or other items at various local events and boat ramps for fund raising.
The trailer can be quickly loaded with the necessary items, towed to locations and cooking equipment easily removed and set-up alongside. The
group is grateful for the support of sponsors The
Spud Shed, Baldivis (for trailer painting and supplying onions) and IGA Supermarket, Charthouse
Shopping Centre, Waikiki (for sausages and bread
rolls).
SLOWLEY STEPS DOWN
RVSRG president, David Slowley, has announced
that he will relinquish his position at this September’s AGM but will continue as a weekly volunteer
radio operator at HQ. Now 73, David has served
two terms as president and been an active member of the group for 22 years. He is a life member.
On a lighter note, the group plan has established its
own internet web site and has obtained quotes to
build and regularly maintain the site. It has also
approached several potential site sponsors.
The address is www.rockinghamsearescue.org.au
The group recently made “Alpha 1” available to provide support cover for a convoy of vessels from Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club on their trip
to Rottnest Island and return.
Upgrading of Rockingham’s radio room and equipment is underway with are plans to extend the room
and introduce a new, more reliable log-on system for
duty radio operators at HQ. It is intended to renew all
cabling, radios and antennae.
David Slowley with “Alpha 1”, at the Rockingham
Volunteer Sea Rescue Group base, Point Peron.
(Photo Courtesy Neil Mulligan)
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Page 6
TECHNOLOGICAL AIDS TO MARINE SEARCH
AND RESCUE
He knows how it feels being stranded at sea, treading water, hoping for a rescue boat to arrive. When
18 years of age David was one of 11 young English
seafarers whose boat was swamped by a big wave
in the cold waters of the Bristol Channel. While on
leave from the Royal Navy the former sea scout was
sailing with the Bristol sea scouts when disaster
struck.
The boat was lost but the crew survived two hours
in the freezing water after David swum for more
than an hour to get help. Finally, he was picked up
by the Mayor of Bath in his motorboat. That was in
1954 and David later received a Silver Cross for his
bravery by the UK Scout Association.
The old salt has a long nautical pedigree. He is also
a life member of The Cruising Yacht Club of WA
where he is a past commodore, was a first lieutenant with the junior sea cadets at TS Anzac and has
been awarded long service medals by VMRWA and
FESA.
As the builder and owner of several boats in his lifetime, David is a passionate advocate of a marina in
Rockingham. He had his 28 foot yacht blown
ashore from moorings in Mangles Bay during four
storms and has had the luxury of having his boat
penned at the Fremantle Sailing Club where it was
safe from storm damage and vandals.
He considers local boaties generally are now better
prepared for setting out to sea than previously due
to the compulsory RST, but is cynical of some who
won’t admit to running out of fuel, preferring to say
they had a “fuel blockage”.
David Slowley had his first Aussie experience in November 1962 when he arrived aboard HMS Tiger
when it docked in Fremantle for the Commonwealth
Games. The electrician then returned to Australia
on the Fairstar from Bristol in 1970. A year later he
built his first boat, “Lucky Star”, an 18ft marine ply
trailer yacht which he sailed at TCYC until 1981
when upgrading to the wooden 28ft “Greta” which
he has since sold.
Words: Graham Crabbe, RVSRG, with thanks to
Michele Nugent of the Weekend Courier
Keeping up with the latest technological developments for marine rescue will always be a challenge.
The typical range of equipment we have at our disposal at the moment include
· radio transceiver
· radio direction finder
· radar
· GPS
· chart plotter
· Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB)
· depth sounder
We need to keep in mind that most of this equipment
has been around for some time, is reasonably commonplace in the marine environment and much of it
is available to the recreational boater. However,
items like the EPIRB, GPS and the chart plotter are
reasonably new developments.
Of what might be referred to as the older items, radio has been in a state of constant development
from the early 1800’s. As a point of interest, the first
saving of a life at sea attributed to radio (or wireless
telegraphy as it was then known) occurred in 1899
after Marconi (a pioneer of radio) had installed radios in a number of vessels.
An extension of the radio is the radio direction finder.
We need to remember that this piece of equipment
used alone does not identify the position of the target, it simply provides a bearing to it. If however two
separate units are able to be used to pick up the
same radio signal then a position can be plotted or
calculated using simple triangulation. Alternatively,
a rescue vessel can plot a bearing to the signal then
plot a second bearing to the signal from another position – of course this method assumes that the target is stationary.
Radar has been around in its crudest of forms since
the late 1800’s when scientists started to dabble with
the concept of a radio beam passing through some
materials and being reflected by others. However, it
was World War II that brought about significant developments in the technology because of its defence
capabilities. Later models have the capacity to track
targets across the screen.
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Page 7
Moving on to the newer items, there is one common factor – man made satellites.
For centuries mariners have used the sun, stars
and moon to fix their position on the earth’s surface and for navigation – it is what we know as celestial navigation. Accuracy varied considerably
depending on the quality of the equipment and the
ability to keep accurate time.
When Sputnik – the worlds first artificial satellite –
was launched by the Russians in 1957, it was apparent to the scientific minds of the day that this
“artificial star” when paired with the most accurate
time piece available – the Atomic Clock – would be
a highly accurate navigation tool. This was the
birth of the Global Positioning System or GPS.
Considerable development work was undertaken
on positioning using artificial satellites by the major
powers, particularly the US Government, in the
1970’s because of its potential as a defence tool.
It wasn’t until 1983 following the shooting down of
Korean Airlines Flight 007 that had strayed over
restricted Siberian air space that GPS was declassified and civilian use permitted.
Although GPS was available for civilian use, the
USA adopted the practice of selected availability in
the 1990’s due to defence concerns. It wasn’t until
the year 2000 that selective availability was finally
phased out by Presidential decree and civilian users could achieve 10 – 15 meter accuracy rather
than the previous 100 metres, or at worse, unknown accuracy.
The Chart Plotter is an extension of GPS. In simple terms, an “image” of the vessel is superimposed in its actual position over a digitised chart
as computed by GPS. Of course different models
have different features and different levels of sophistication but, as with most things in life, you get
what you pay for.
EPIRB – the item credited with saving many lives
at sea and significantly reducing the rescue time of
many, many more.
Simply speaking, when activated, the EPIRB emits
a radio signal that is picked up by a satellite and
relayed back to earth. From this signal, the position of the beacon is calculated and the rescue can
commence.
There have been advances with EPIRB technology as there has been with most other things. At
the moment, the “common- use” EPIRB is the
analogue 121.5 MHz unit, however, from February
2009 all vessels required, or simply wanting, to
carry an EPIRB will need a digital 406 MHz unit.
From this date, the satellite system will not receive
the 121.5MHz signal and, stating the obvious, will
not be able to relay the vital information back to
earth.
There is no doubt that technological advances
have made the 406 MHz EPIRB a far superior
unit. There are many enhancements but of particular significance to search and rescue is the accuracy and the alert time of the signal.
We are told that the accuracy of the 406 MHz
EPIRB is in the order of 5 kilometre radius
whereas the 121.5 unit was in the order of 20 kilometres – put another way it is the difference between searching about 78 square kilometres opposed to 456 square kilometres. Some 406 MHz
EPIRBS use GPS – these units have an accuracy
of about 120 metres
In terms of alert time, a signal from a 406 MHz
EPIRB may be received in seconds by a satellite
in a geostationary orbit (one which orbits the earth
in such a way that it remain over the same position on the earth) whereas the 121.5 system took
on average 90 minutes to receive a signal but depending on conditions may take up to 5 hours. In
addition, processing of the 121.5 MHz signal could
take up to 45 minutes.
A final point on the transition from the 121.5 MHz
to 406 MHz EPIRBS. It is reasonably common to
hear people say that the 121.5 MHz will be
switched off. This is not strictly true. The fact is
that the capacity of the satellites to receive the
121.5 signal will be switched off – the 406 MHz
EPIRB will transmit a second signal on 121.5 MHz
but this will only be picked up by aircraft and other
appropriately equipped search resources.
We are told by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that continuing to rely on a 121.5
MHz EPIRB after February 2009 could jeopardise
lives. The only method of detecting a 121.5 MHz
signal would be from overflying aircraft, and not all
aircraft monitor the frequency.
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Page 8
AMSA provides the following example of the risk of
relying on an aircraft receiving a 121.5 MHz signal. If
a pilot flying an aircraft at 32 000 feet hears a 121.5
MHz distress signal, the beacon could be anywhere
within a radius of 215 nautical miles, or 398 kilometres, of the aircraft. This will result in a search area of
145 280 square nautical miles or 498 295 square kilometres – this is an area twice the size of Victoria.
Then there is the humble depth sounder, or as commonly referred to, the fish finder. The principle is simple – sound waves are emitted from a transducer attached to either the inside or outside of the hull of a
vessel and that sound pulse is reflected off of the seabed back to the transducer. The elapsed time between the initiation of the sound pulse and the echo
being received back from the seabed is used to calculate the depth. Of course there are different levels of
sophistication which as a general rule are directly proportional to price.
Perhaps the depth sounder is not an often recognised
item of safety equipment but it is essential in a search
and rescue environment when working in shallow water if for no other reason than to avoid turning one disaster into two!
The question to ask now is what is next?
As MWRG becomes more familiar with the system,
our experiences will be shared with any interested
Groups, including through VMRWA publications.
There is no doubt that we have a lot of aids to marine rescue but there is one common requirement to
them all – they need a power source.
So, finally what we have left is where we started –
the magnetic compass and chart. With a compass
and chart we can do many things including position
fixing at sea, determining courses and bearings, calculating compass error and deviation and determining and navigating clearing and danger bearings.
These are all very basic skills that we should be familiar with – to rely on the vessels electronic systems without being familiar with the manual basics
is fraught with danger.
Roger Martin
Mandurah Water Rescue Group
DENHAM SHARK BAY VMR
VMR Long Service Award’s were presented to our
members on 9th of April 2008. These are the members who received an award.
Front row l-r
Most of us are aware of Forward Looking Infrared
(FLIR) systems available on airborne resources used
for search and rescue. This technology is also available for installation on vessels.
FLIR technology uses thermography which is the use
of an infrared imaging and measurement camera to
“see” and “measure” thermal energy emitted from an
object – everything with a temperature above absolute
zero (-272.7 degrees centigrade) emits heat …….. but
enough of the science behind all of this, it gets a bit
complicated.
What FLIR presents us with is a moving image similar
to watching a black and white video.
Mandurah Water Rescue Group (MWRG) is investing
in a unit which we expect to have installed in April.
The unit is not cheap but we believe it will be of considerable value in all night time searches as well as
for night navigation. The system being purchased not
only functions in total darkness but through smoke
and light fog.
Wende Smith (10yrs), Jeff Howe (FESA),
Mo Bartlett-Torr (10yr), Pauline Fowler (10yrs)
Back row L-r
Noel Smith (10yrs), Judy Britza (10yrs), President
VMRSB Peter Ferrick, Mark Sewell (3yrs),
Dexter Fowler (10yrs)
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Page 9
CAMARADERIE AND VOLUNTEERING
BONDS A SEA RESCUE TEAM
Whilst they were performing routine harbour and estuary training with the Bunbury Sea Rescue Group
this anniversary week, the volunteers in the photo
reflected how events 30yrs ago has lead them to be
joined with a firm bond again.
Several members of the Bunbury Sea Rescue
Group reminisced about the 30th anniversary of Cyclone Alby (4th April 1978) and the remarkable commitment to volunteering which has brought them together again, this time in Sea Rescue.
The destruction of areas in Bunbury and hinterland
by the cyclonic winds and flood surge and, at the
same time, huge bush fires in the South-West,
wreaked devastation and heartbreak for many.
As Director of Nursing I was Matron of the 75 bed
Bunbury Nursing Home which suffered devastating
damage throughout from a flood surge with a depth
of over one metre.
The water level rose rapidly in the dark over residents lying feeble in beds, unable to sit independently above water level. Adjacent to the Nursing
Home, the matron’s quarters, was home to her late
husband Bill and two children 4yrs and 6yrs, was
also flooded. Sadly they also had a farm at Greenbushes which was burnt out on the same day with
huge loss
At Bunbury Nursing Home around 7pm, a well coordinated rapid response by the State Emergency
Services occurred responding to many calls particularly the evacuation of the nursing home residents
and staff.
Patients were lifted off floating mattresses and
gently moved, in wheelchairs, from the surface
of the floating carpets, and onto the backs of
trucks.
The strength and attitude by the SES rescue
teams was inspirational.
Some patients were transported in dinghies with
outboard motors and torches. Others were supported shivering, whilst wading in wet clothes
through deep water in the dark to higher ground
hundreds of metres away
The trucks then headed for the Army Drill Hall
muster point, but this enormous building was
quickly de-roofed by the winds, requiring an immediate change of situational plans for the SES.
The Operations staff already under extreme
pressure asked what else can go wrong tonight?
Location, and tracking of frail elderly patients to
several hospitals and other accommodation, accounting for their welfare, and ensuring their
medical and nursing requirements were continued went on throughout the night until the enormity of the situation was evident at daylight . Miraculously everyone survived.
Key members of the SES at that time involved in
the emergency response were:
The late Les D’ Vorak Co-coordinator
Eliot Fisher Operations Officer
Dorothy Fisher, Assistant Operations Officer
Kevin Regan Rescue Team Member
Ray Hall Rescue Team Leader
The cold, dark, waist deep water, and freezing ferocious winds were fearful for the frail patients, many
were deaf, blind, confused and immobile and clad
only in normal night wear.
A strong, well organized team of SES personnel responded to this emergency.
Verbal re-assurance communicated to infirmed patients created a feeling of trust and safety. Calm
prevailed throughout despite the severity of the
situation.
Volunteers 30 years on
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Page 10
These were only some of the many committed SES
volunteers who assisted this particular emergency.
30 yrs later, on the week of the anniversary, a
group of volunteers attended a routine training exercise with two rescue boats in the Bunbury harbour and estuary. They were again practicing rescue scenarios, albeit marine.
Lotterieswest has contributed $15,000 towards
the purchase of a second-hand SES vehicle.
FESA has contributed $9000 towards the construction of a 13 m x 7.6 m storage shed. NARA
Training and Assessing has provided $1000 to
support the group and our major sponsor
Worsley have contributed $25,000.
During that session it evolved the amazing connections these members had with each other. This coincidence on the anniversary, with the people photographed now forming a remarkable team with
Bunbury Sea Rescue is truly amazing
Yet there is another coincidence. Warren Cowell
one of our members was a patient on 4th Floor
Bunbury Regional Hospital in my care when I was
Sister-in Charge on 14 Oct 1968. On that day the
Meckering earthquake struck in at 10 30 am, registering 6.9 on the Richter Scale and estimated to be
10 times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb.
Warren was post operative from back surgery but
was smartly delegated to be in charge of evacuating a group of patients who could barely mobilize,
down to safety from the top floor of the hospital to
the ground floor.
It seems that emergency service volunteers never
lose their enthusiasm to be involved.
Wende Smith
Bunbury and Denham Sea Rescue Groups
BUNBURY SEA RESCUE
The Mayor and the City of Bunbury did the group
proud at the launch of our project in August 2007 at
the Councils Civic Function Area. His Worship the
Mayor, Mr David Smith spoke passionately about
his and his family’s association with the sea and
the need for an effective sea rescue service. This
set the tone for a meaningful launch ceremony and
was appreciated by all those attending.
The group has been successful in gaining financial
support from a number of corporate and government sources to progress the development project.
The Mayor at the Helm—Mayor David Smith
Added to the $30, 000 we have earned from RST
and Boat smart training over the last 3 years we
are in an excellent position to progress stage one
of the project.
It is pleasing to report that we have ordered the
shed from Highline Capel and Cr Trevor Smith
assisted us with the planning and building approval process. Once again our good friends at
the Bunbury Port Authority have assisted and
Graham Coves has provided the necessary plans
and documents to enable us to progress the
planning and building approvals. We appreciate
the support of the Authority and their staff.
Unfortunately ongoing delays have seen this project delayed but we are extremely hopeful that
we will have the building erected soon.
The South West Development Commission has
approved our application for a grant of $8,500 towards the cost of the shed which means the
building extensions are fully funded.
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Page 11
The Regional Partnerships grant of $50,000 was
approved by the government in 2007 to purchase
the inshore rescue boat. Sadly the change of government had a major impact on this and other Regional Partnership Grants and despite numerous
approaches to the Department and the Parliamentary Secretary there is no certainty that the grant
will be funded and no advice has been provided
on the status of the application at this time.
The Port Open day provided the opportunity to
join with Mandurah and Naturaliste groups at an
exciting activity in the Port of Bunbury. A great
example of the cooperative spirit is shown in the
photo of the three rescue boats berthing the STS
Leeuwin. (front cover)
The group has now reached the stage where it is
unable to complete its partnership project until the
government funding is either refused or approved.
WEST PILBARA SEA RESCUE
Eliot Fisher
Bunbury Sea Rescue
It’s always interesting when you get a new piece
of equipment to try out, and even more so when
you realise it could change the way we do rescues.
The new equipment is the new generation in Radio Directional Finder (RDF), to be able to pinpoint a transmitting radio or E.P.I.R.B with high
accuracy.
Estuary rescue boat and troop carrier
The Quintrex 4.2 training boat has been delivered
and painted and is now resplendent as is the
Troop Carrier in BSR Rescue livery.
This small vessel will provide for RST training and
allow flexibility in river and estuary operations.
Both these units are receiving extensive use and
provide good exposure for the group in the community.
Training continues towards the Coxswains qualification with Sunday training sessions attracting between 12 – 16 members.
Boating awareness and sea rescue familiarisation
sessions and harbour trips continue with Navy Cadets, High School classes and others.
A successful partnership with the Surf Lifesaving
Rapid Response Team has resulted in the Surf
Club bases installing marine radio and extending
the radio network.
In addition, recent exercises in recovering lost divers and boats have provided good combined
raining for both groups.
The new RDF was done as a joint project by
three of our major sponsors and the group, with
Woodside and Dampier Port Authority contributing the funds, and Rio Tinto Iron Ore IS and T
team completing the research for the group. The
RDF was sourced from the United States and I
plan to place more details for other interested
parties in FESA 24/7.
With the new piece of the kit installed and ready
to go we needed to give it a good field test, we
knew it worked from trialling it around the shed,
but some scenarios would really set the scene for
what it could do. In our March meeting it was decided to do an E.P.I.R.B exercise mated with
flares as well to make it a realistic scenario.
Craig Neil followed up the E.P.I.R.B and gained
permission from AUSAR for the test, as well as
communicating with local authorities to ensure
they were all aware of the exercise.
Stuart Robertson was nominated to be the skipper of the distressed vessel and created the scenarios that would be used. The information provided was identical to what a Sea Rescue Group
would be given by the police or by AUSAR in a
real-life E.P.I.R.B activation, each scenario was
sealed in envelope and only opened once it was
live.
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Page 12
The scenarios worked well with our mouse (Stuart
Robertson as distressed skipper) in their yellow
five metre vessel using camouflage tactics on the
second scenario by tying close to a yellow cyclone
mooring, which also masked their radar signal.
However the new RDF was not confused like
some of our crew, and led the crew direct to them.
PORT WALCOTT SEA RESCUE
Here is a shot of the new Port Walcott
Headquarters.
In the debrief afterwards, we discussed how the
exercise could be confused and our on scene controller decided that 30 minutes was too much duration between radio calls, when the vessel is capable of covering over 18 nautical miles in that
time when cruising. Other comments came from
AUSAR who were amazed at the capabilities over
the new RDF and impressed with the communication lines that were kept open during the exercise.
Just a bare patch of Pilbara dirt at the moment
Visual verification of the distressed vessel
at end of the search
Brad Dean & Gary Mackwell handing
over the Defibrillor.
One highlight was when the flares were released
in scenario two, this was used as part of the positive identification of the target; a recreational fishing boat scooted across from their location offering to lend a hand. It was fantastic to see, and
great also at their reaction to it being a mock exercise so a big thank you to the skipper and crew of
“Painless”.
The exercise has been hailed as a success by the
12 participants in the group and now the challenge
exists for the continual challenging of our crews to
keep exercises interesting and hands on.
John Robertson
West Pilbara
Handover of the Defib unit to West Pilbara.
Pictured are Gary Mackwell, Vicki Lorantas,
Craig Neal, John Robinson & Brett Stoward.
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Page 13
BUSSELTON SEA RESCUE
Minister for Police and Emergency Services John
Kobelke opened our building “Marine House” Saturday morning 16th February before a crowd of
over 200 people.
In his address, Mr Kobelke touched on the 24/7
availability of our volunteers, the various types of
situations we respond to, the increase of incidents
attended and crew hours accumulated. He also
recognised the size and growth of the Busselton
community and the fact that our group size has tripled membership over the last few years. It was
great for public recognition to be given to Richard
& Rae Thorpe of ACRM for the marine radio service they provide.
Minister Kobelke then invited Commander Phil to
unveil the plaque with him, formalizing the official
opening of Marine House.
Minister Kobelke
and other dignitaries
were invited to the
control room to observe a training air
drop involving “BJ”
and AMSA’s Dornier
aircraft. The drop
was conducted
about 400 metres
offshore to allow a
perfect view. Other
spectators lined the
dunes and beach
and nobody was disappointed.
Minister John Kobelke and
Busselton President Phil Nicholls
In the control room, communications between the
crews of the Dornier and “BJ” were heard with perfect clarity. Commentary for those there was provided by both Brian Lucy and Phil Nicholls. Needless to say, all were suitably impressed.
The Minister commented that he’s never attended
an opening before with such a great demonstration.
Feedback was later received that to impress the Minister so much was a great achievement. Congratulations to all involved.
Proudly wearing his BVMRG shirt, Troy Buswell approached the lectern with an impish grin that could
only indicate mischief.
During the explanation of his early involvement with
our project Troy, when Shire President, described the
obvious disappointment on Brian Lucy’s face when at
the Shire meeting, the Shire adhered to public pressure for our building not to proceed on the King Street
site near the yacht club. A message was passed to
Brian who duly rang Troy the next morning. As Troy
said, the plan was to find an old public toilet at a suitable location that could be knocked over and the replacement value (plus!) provided to our group to assist with funding our building project.
What amazed Troy
was Brian’s “intimate
knowledge” of all
public toilets in the
Busselton area.
Brian has been duly
confronted about
this but has steadfastly declined any
comment. Brian, you
are under pressure.
As Pauline would
say, “Please explain”.
Troy Buswell
Leader of the Opposition
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Page 14
GROUP CONTACT DETAILS
ALBANY SEA RESCUE
P.O. Box 1031
ALBANY 6331
Ph 9844 1005
Fax 9844 1767
DENMARK SRG
P.O. Box 55
Denmark 6333
Ph 9848 3899
Fax 9848 3240
KALBARRI SS&RG
PO BOX 315
Kalbarri 6536
Ph 9937 2112
Fax 9937 2113
AUGUSTA VSSR
Augusta Marine
P.O. Box 256
Augusta 6290
Ph 9758 1575
Fax 9758 1278
DERBY VMR
P.O. Box 258
Derby 6728
Ph 0419 959 376
Fax 9191 1316
LANCELIN SS&RG
P.O. Box 61
Lancelin 6044
Ph 9655 1289
Fax 9655 1728
EAST KIMBERLEY
P.O. Box 251
Wyndham 6740
Ph 9161 1747
LEEMAN VSSRG
P.O. Box 106
Leeman 6514
Ph 9953 1993
ESPERANCE SS&RG
P.O. Box 1371
Esperance 6450
Ph 9071 1697
Fax 9071 5300
MANDURAH WRG
P.O. Box 431
Mandurah 6210
Ph 9535 4789
Fax 9535 6299
BREMER BAY SR
Telecentre
C/- Post Office
Bremer Bay 6338
Ph 9837 4049
BROOME VSRG
P.O. Box 2558
Broome, 6275
Ph 9192 7288
BUNBURY SR
P.O. Box 1274
Bunbury 6231
Ph 9791 2330
EXMOUTH VMRG
P.O. Box 280
Exmouth 6707
Ph 9949 2426
Fax 9949 2965
BUSSELTON VMRG
P.O. Box 1646
Busselton 6280
Ph 9754 7777
Fax 9752 4744
GERALDTON VSRG
PO BOX 2130
Geraldton 6531
Ph 9964 3543
Fax 9964 3603
CARNARVON VSRG
P.O. Box 699
Carnarvon 6701
Ph 9941 3613
Fax 9941 3553
HOPETOUN SS&RG
PO BOX 115
Hopetoun 6348
Ph 9838 3207
Fax 9838 3590
CORAL BAY VSSR
Post Office
Coral Bay 6701
Ph 0427 180568
JURIEN BAY VSRG
PO BOX 462
Jurien Bay 6516
Ph 9652 1950
PORT DENISON VSRG
P.O. Box 208
Dongara 6525
Ph 0419 936 313
PORT HEDLAND SR
P.O. Box 214
Port Hedland 6721
Ph 9173 3055
PORT WALCOTT VMR
P.O. Box 195
Wickham 6720
Ph 0439 870 995
ROCKINGHAM VSRG
P.O. Box 251
Rockingham 6168
Ph 9592 4519
SHARK BAY VMR
P.O. Box 35
Denham 6537
MARGARET RIVER VSRG Ph 9948 1376
P.O. Box 78
Cowaramup 6284
TWO ROCKS VSRG
Ph 9755 5855
P.O. Box 138
Fax 9755 5579
Two Rocks 6037
Ph 9561 5777
NATURALISTE VSR INC
0407 479 854
P.O. Box 411
Dunsborough 6281
WALPOLE SR
Ph/Fax 9753 3594
P.O. Box 115
Walpole 6398
ONSLOW VMR
Ph 9840 1527
P.O. Box 122
Fax 9840 1526
Onslow 6710
Ph 9184 6844
WEST PILBARA SS&RG
0429 688 714
P.O. Box 208
Dampier 6713
PEACEFUL BAY SR
Ph/Fax 9183 1327
C/- Post Office
Peaceful Bay 6333
WINDY HARBOUR SRG
Ph 9840 8108
P.O. Box 1360
Fax 9840 8348
Manjimup 6258
Ph 9776 8384
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RADIO COMMUNICATION CHART
Page 15
Group
Call Sign
27 MHZ
UHF
VHF
MF/HF
Emergency PH
ALBANY SEA RESCUE SQUAD
VMR610
90
Y
Y
-
0419 923 557
AUGUSTA SEA RESCUE
VMR625
88
-
16
2182
08 9758 1575
BREMER BAY SEA RESCUE
VMR607
88
2
80
-
0427 374 062
BROOME SEA RESCUE
VMR650
88,91
Y
Y
Y
08 9193 5935
BUNBURY SEA RESCUE
VMR634
88
-
16
4125
0418 926 442
BUSSELTON SEA RESCUE
VMR640
88,91
-
16, 74
-
0407 755 715
CARNARVON SEA RESCUE
VMR676
88,91
-
16,73
4125
08 9941 3613
CORAL BAY SEA RESCUE
VMR679
90
Y
11, 16
-
0427 180568
DENMARK SEA RESCUE
VMR613
88 94
-
16, 22, 77
-
08 9848 1311
DERBY SEA RESCUE
VMR694
88
-
Y
Y
0419 959 376
EAST KIMBERLEY MR
VMR699
88
-
80, 81
-
08 9161 1305
ESPERANCE SEA RESCUE
VMR601
88
Y
Y
Y
0419 869 655
EXMOUTH SEA RESCUE
VMR682
90
Y
Y
Y
0418 186 416
GERALDTON SEA RESCUE
VMR670
88, 91
5
16,81
4125
08 9964 3543
HOPETOUN SEA RESCUE
VMR604
88
8
16, 82
-
08 9838 3207
JURIEN BAY SEA RESCUE
Air radio 121.5
VMR661
91
Y
Y
Y
08 9652 1950
KALBARRI SEA RESCUE
VMR673
88,90,96
20
16,80
-
08 9937 2112
LANCELIN SEA RESCUE
VMR688
91
Y
Y
Y
08 9655 2119
LEEMAN SEA RESCUE
VMR664
88, 91
6
16, 73
4125
08 9953 1164
MANDURAH WATER
RESCUE GROUP
VMR611
88, 91
-
16, 73, 82
4125
0409 081 801
MARGARET RIVER SR
VMR628
88, 91
-
17,72,80
-
08 9755 5579
NATURALISTE SEA RESCUE
VMR631
88, 91
06
16, 74, 80
4125
08 9781 3030
ONSLOW VMR
VMR683
88
-
16
-
0429 688 714
PEACEFUL BAY SEA RESCUE
VMR616
88, 96
4125
08 9840 8108
PORT DENISON SEA RESCUE
VMR667
88, 91
-
16, 73
2182, 4125
6215
0417 924 818
PORT HEDLAND SEA RESCUE
VMR691
88
-
16
-
08 9173 3055
PORT WALCOTT SEA RESCUE
VMR689
88, 94, 96
-
16, 81
-
0439 870 995
ROCKINGHAM SEA RESCUE
VN6KC
90
-
16, 73
4125
08 9528 2222
SHARK BAY VMR
VMR675
88, 90
-
Y
-
08 9948 1202
TWO ROCKS SEA RESCUE
VMR677
88, 91
-
16, 73
4125
08 9561 5777
WALPOLE SEA RESCUE
VMR619
88
-
Y
Y
08 9840 1527
WEST PILBARA SEA RESCUE
VMR685
86
-
11, 16
-
08 9183 1144
15/2dup 16/22dup
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VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE WESTERN AUSTRALIA Inc.
(Incorporated in Western Australia, Number AO770069X) ABN: 67 729 601 378
PO Box 1455 Mandurah, WA 6210. Telephone: (08) 9535 2551 Fax: (08) 9582 9661
Email: vmrwa@iinet.net.au Website:www.vmrwa.org.au
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