Marine Rescue Matters
Our New Years Day market at Harrington was one of our biggest yet with over 170 stalls. Early on crowds were a little down but as recovery from previous evening took hold then they came out in large numbers. At the Marine Rescue stall we sold out of almost everything but we restocked and carried on. Due to cost increases no power was available so anyone needing power had to supply their own.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Our new radio system is working reasonably well but due to the increased coverage we get a lot of backround radio interference from other bases which can be annoying but this should be reduced as the system upgrade is completed. If when you log on there is not instant response it’s because we now have to confirm your boat registration and the last three numbers of the mobile phone on board ON THAT DAY. Maybe yours is at home so you will use your mates and you will give us the correct number when we ask. Water police may need to call you if you are in trouble and they will ring using this number. Our Marine Rescue vessel is generally limited to two meter seas and 20 knot winds so sometimes they will be involved.
The VHF repeater on Middle Brother Mountain is now operational so all calls should be answered, bearing in mind that the system is new to us too.
We had just one assist over the Christmas New Year period so that’s good. The one that we did have was a 6.1m fibreglass half cabin with five people on board. The on-board radio was not functioning and after three calls their on-board mobile was flat, and the position that they gave was cursor not boat so that produced another delay in recovery. Always check gear before venturing onto the water, especially outside.
The New 4 Old life jacket replacement is at the Endeavour Place [Rowing Club] boat ramp on February 11 between 7am and 11am, and the flare disposal was on in Taree on January 19, but if you Google www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.htm when the site opens type in Flares to see other collection points.
This week Marine Rescue Crowdy Harrington was extremely fortunate to be the recipient of a considerable donation from North South West Office Technology. Mr Michael McHatton owner/manager of NSW Office Technology has generously donated a large commercial printer to the base to assist with daily base operations, fund raising activities and other tasks. Not only is the printer a colour laser but also a commercial quality scanner/photocopier. The members of Marine Rescue Crowdy Harrington really appreciate this gesture and are very grateful for his action in this regard .
Boat licence and PWC testing is carried out on the second Monday of each month at 1800[6pm] . All study should be by RMS website or from the handbook available at the RMS or Crowdy Harrington Base. Phone or call into the base to register
For information on any of articles please contact the base on 6556 1564.
Kevin Nicholls, Marine Rescue Crowdy Harrington