Marine Rescue NSW supports Sydney to Hobart

by Ken McManus on 24 Dec 2014 Volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW) will again play a key support role in one of summer’s iconic events, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

More than 40 Marine Rescue volunteers on board nine rescue vessels from the Middle Harbour, Port Jackson, Cottage Point, Broken Bay and Botany Port Hacking units will provide operational support for the race start on Sydney Harbour.

Units along the South Coast will then assist in tracking the fleet down the coastline and respond to any incidents that may occur.

Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey said Marine Rescue volunteers are on full operational alert for the peak boating season and would again play an important boating safety role in the major Harbour events.

'We are stepping up our routine patrols and our volunteers are standing by to respond to any emergency on the water along our coastline from Queensland to Eden and inland on the Alpine Lakes and the Murray River at Moama.

'We are also pleased to support the members of the boating community enjoying the drawcard events by providing essential safety support on the water and via the airwaves on marine radio channels.

'Our volunteers will be out on the Harbour on Friday to support the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and other services, including NSW Roads and Maritime Services, the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command (MAC) and Sydney Ports Authority.'

Marine Rescue’s main roles on the Harbour on Thursday will centre around crowd control and supporting NSW Police MAC with on-water incidents.

MRNSW vessels will patrol the exclusion zone set down the Harbour to give the fleet a clear run to the Heads and then follow the yachts out to sea for about a mile.

Communications support will be provided from the Marine Rescue Sydney and Port Jackson radio bases. MRNSW units down the coast will track the fleet as it heads south, standing by to respond if required.

Members of Marine Rescue Eden will be joined by personnel from the CYCA to monitor radio ‘skeds’ and other communications until the last of the fleet has crossed Bass Strait.

Deputy Commissioner Storey reminded boaters to always wear a lifejacket when on board and to Log On with Marine Rescue NSW via radio whenever they were heading out on the water this summer.

For more information on boating safety, please click here.