Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review - Tall ship rescue

by Ken McManus on 1 Oct 2013 Marine Rescue Batemans Bay volunteers have safely evacuated a seriously ill teenage naval cadet from a tall ship sailing north to join the International Fleet Review celebrations.

The MR Batemans Bay crew – Master Glenn Sullivan and crew members Michael Kelly and Keith Griffiths - launched Batemans 30 after receiving an emergency call from the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command this morning (Tuesday Oct 1st).

Mr Sullivan said the 26-metre tall ship, Windeward Bound, crewed by naval cadets, was sailing from Tasmania to Jervis Bay when the medical emergency struck.

Up to 40 warships, 16 tall ships and 8000 naval personnel will take part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the October 3rd centenary of the Royal Australian Navy fleet entering Sydney Harbour.

'The casualty, a 15-year-old girl from Canberra, was reported to be suffering suspected appendicitis and needed to be transported to hospital,' Mr Sullivan said.

'The tall ship had diverted from its course up the coastline and entered Batemans Bay, where we were able to come alongside to transfer the casualty and a carer from the Navy on board Batemans 30.

'We returned to the Hanging Rock boat ramp and berthing area, where the patient was transferred to a NSW Ambulance and on to Batemans Bay hospital.'

Commodore Geoff Geraghty RANR. Director General Australian Navy Cadets, thanked the Marine Rescue Batemans Bay crew for their action and also passed on the acknowledgement of Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral R.J. Griggs AO, CSC.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos congratulated the Batemans Bay crew on a safe and successful operation to assist the Navy.

'This demonstrates the close cooperation and collaboration between the emergency and rescue services and the vital role Marine Rescue NSW volunteers play on our waters,' Commissioner Tannos said.

'Earlier this year our Merimbula volunteers safely evacuated an ill passenger from a cruise liner and today our Batemans Bay crew has successfully gone to the aid of someone in need of medical assistance.

'All three crew members deserve our thanks and praise for their efforts to assist this cadet. I’m sure she is disappointed that her voyage has, unfortunately, not ended as she would have hoped but we extend our wishes for a full and speedy recovery.'

Editor's Note:
We have had positive news from a fellow cadet on board that, 'Said girl is healthy and okay now.'