Navigation Hazard Removed and Property Safeguarded.

On Thursday afternoon, our radio base received a call from a moored yacht reporting that a 12m Catarmaran had broken free of its mooring and was drifting towards other moored vessels, The skipper of the reporting yacht managed to get onboard the drifting Cat and drop its anchor.

The Marine Area Command of the Water Police tasked PS31 to attend to the drifting Catarmaran and secure it if possible on its original mooring. This tasking was to avoid a navigation issue in the bay and ot avoid property damage.

PS31 took the vessel under tow and placed it on its original mooring - securing it as best could be achieved considering the lack of lines available.

The first hazard to be addressed as to ensure that the black snake on the deck was rubber and not real. It was rubber

The owner, who was working out of town, was contacted and advised of the situation. Well done boat and radio base crews. ... See more

News on Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island Unit

The latest – and largest – addition to the Marine Rescue NSW fleet left Sydney early this morning for a major refit before its voyage to its new home base at the service’s first offshore rescue unit, on Lord Howe Island.

The 16 metre ocean-going vessel, the former Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force boat Fearless, is heading north up the coastline for the refurbishment before travelling to the small island.

Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey said MRNSW was establishing the first dedicated marine rescue capability on the island, 650km due east of Port Macquarie.

“Today’s voyage is an exciting step in the unit’s development,” he said.

“The boat will undergo a total refurbishment from top to bottom and will emerge as good as new. The Lord Howe Island community can now look forward to their new boat’s arrival in coming months.”

The monohull vessel has a range of 400nm and is powered by Caterpillar inboard diesel engines. It is today heading to Port Macquarie in a 10 to 12 hour voyage in favourable conditions for the refit, which will include new electronics and communications equipment and MRNSW livery.

The crew on board is MRNSW Fleet Manager Kelvin Parkin and Greater Sydney Regional Operations Manager Glenn Evans, Sans Souci Water Police Senior Sergeant John Cox and Senior Constable Shane Steere and the inaugural Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island Unit Commander Jim MacFadyen. ... See more

Late Tuesday afternoon our radio base Watch Officer (Robert who also volunteers as one of our Rescue Vessel Skippers) received a report from a vessel offshore that an upturned kayak or canoe had been signed.

The Water Police tasked PS31 to investigate. With the information received and recorded by the radio base, the Skipper of PS31 (Brian) was soon able to locate the Kayak and search the area. The Kayak was taken onboard and returned to the Marine Rescue dock. We understand there is nothing sinister with this finding. ... See more

Port Stephens Examiner Article

https://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/6617181/marine-rescue-seeking-new-volunteers-after-busy-summer/?cs=776&fbclid=IwAR0Le7Qwwt5ZNPNCbIpuZfiWxZSoUGsWSVnoohElwA-t0hbjWYnqdbFRtQA ... See more

Busy and Varied Week

The last week has been a busy week for our Radio Base and Boat Crews.

Saturday started with a May Day call from a vessel caught in rough water at the heads with engine failure and taking on water. Equipment including the life raft had been washed overboard. PS30 was tasked to assist and was soon on the way. The Skipper of the distressed vessel however thankfully reported that he had restarted the engines and was safely heading back into the port.

Another vessel had sighted the now inflated life raft and had taken it under tow. PS31 collected the raft and other equipment in the water and returned all to the owner.

Sunday the Radio Base received a call from a vessel a long way up in the Myall Lakes, unable to start the engines. PS30 was tasked to assist. Once on scene the crew passed a jump starter however unable to start the engines. The vessel was towed to Lemon Tree Passage (a long, slow tow). Our crew was on duty for this task for about 5 hours – well done.

Then at 6PM the radio base was again contacted – this time by a sailing vessel travelling south from north of Port Stephens. The Skipper reported he could not start his engines and was concerned with the wind direction and rough sea state he could not safely enter the port. PS31 was tasked by the Water Police to assist. The sailing vessel was directed to keep sailing south.

Our crew met the vessel between the port entrance and Broughton Island. Due to slow sailing into a head wind the vessel was taken under tow and safely delivered to a mooring in the port. This crew was on duty for 4 hours. Good work.

Finally, earlier in the week, PS31 while on a training session was waved down to assist a vessel taking on water. PS31 was quickly on scene and deployed the salvage pump. Unfortunately, the inflow was far in excess our pump’s capacity and the vessel sunk. The person on-board was safely taken onto PS31.

Our work all starts with the Radio Base crews recording accurate information and following well tested procedures to get assistance to those on the water needing help. ... See more

Busy and Varied Week

The last week has been a busy week for our Radio Base and Boat Crews.

Saturday started with a May Day call from a vessel caught in rough water at the heads with engine failure and taking on water. Equipment including the life raft had been washed overboard. PS30 was tasked to assist and was soon on the way. The Skipper of the distressed vessel however thankfully reported that he had restarted the engines and was safely heading back into the port.

Another vessel had sighted the now inflated life raft and had taken it under tow. PS31 collected the raft and other equipment in the water and returned all to the owner.

Sunday the Radio Base received a call from a vessel a long way up in the Myall Lakes, unable to start the engines. PS30 was tasked to assist. Once on scene the crew passed a jump starter however unable to start the engines. The vessel was towed to Lemon Tree Passage (a long, slow tow). Our crew was on duty for this task for about 5 hours – well done.

Then at 6PM the radio base was again contacted – this time by a sailing vessel travelling south from north of Port Stephens. The Skipper reported he could not start his engines and was concerned with the wind direction and rough sea state he could not safely enter the port. PS31 was tasked by the Water Police to assist. The sailing vessel was directed to keep sailing south.

Our crew met the vessel between the port entrance and Broughton Island. Due to slow sailing into a head wind the vessel was taken under tow and safely delivered to a mooring in the port. This crew was on duty for 4 hours. Good work.

Finally, earlier in the week, PS31 while on a training session was waved down to assist a vessel taking on water. PS31 was quickly on scene and deployed the salvage pump. Unfortunately, the inflow was far in excess our pump’s capacity and the vessel sunk. The person on-board was safely taken onto PS31.

Our work all starts with the Radio Base crews recording accurate information and following well tested procedures to get assistance to those on the water needing help. ... See more

Hazardous Surf Warning for New South Wales

Friday, February 14

Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming on the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts.

Saturday, February 15

Hazardous Surf Warning for the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts.

Safety Advice
Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force advises that:
- People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
- Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
- Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base via VHF Radio Channel 16 or the Marine Rescue App and consider their safety management plan. ... See more

We have been asked to let our Facebook friends of an upcoming fund raiser for RFS. Not a Marine Rescue function however RFS are very close friends of this Unit.

Wednesday saw PS31 and crew out on the water exercising with the RAAF Rescue Helicopter from Williamtown. A lot more deck work today which means our crew get very wet.

We thought you may be interested to watch one of the RNLI(UK) Rescue Vessels battling the storm Ciara this week.

Memories of our former vessel Danial Thain (PS40) in 2016.

https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2020/february/rnli-crews-face-storm-ciara ... See more

While Storm Ciara battered the UK and Ireland, RNLI lifeboat crews were ready to battle the rough seas and strong winds to answer the call to rescue