Greater Sydney News MAKING WAVES
Busy time on and off the water for Botany Port Hacking Training focuses on offsetting shortfalls
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ver recent months with the easing of Covid restrictions, there has been a return to recruitment. The first wave of new Radio Operator intakes was undertaken on 24 October, with 14 people attending a morning briefing chaired by Trevor Leak, Rosemary Holloway and Training Officer Bernie Ward. Unit Commander Greg Inglis kicked off proceedings with an informative introduction to Marine Rescue and the Botany Port Hacking unit. Intakes for crew will commence in the near future. Unit training has focused on ratings for crew and Coxswain to offset any forecast shortfalls, with existing skippers and rated crew stepping forward to offer drills training, night training and on-shore training as well as supporting interagency training with the Toll Rescue Helicopter. A key component for active duty is first aid re-certification, however, Covid restrictions had put this on hold. A concerted effort by our training team of Kevin Thompson and Allan Russell has helped get this important requirement back on track. As well as all of the behind the scenes activity, the unit has been particularly busy operationally, with a variety of complex situations due to recent strong winds and
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Crew member Rohan Stirling looks on at the Toll Helicopter during recent training.
fishing charter boat off North Bondi experienced engine failure. The seas were approximately 3-4 metres making the tow into Sydney Harbour particularly cautious. The tow continued up the Harbour to allow passengers to alight at Woolwich Wharf before the vessel could be returned to its swing mooring at Drummoyne Bay. The trip back to Port Hacking into the heavy seas
Unit training has focused on ratings for crew and Coxswain to offset any forecast shortfalls
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heavy seas catching some boaters unawares. One typical and particularly difficult example occurred during a routine training session for Botany Hacking 30, when a 38 foot Steber
was challenging for the vessel crew, with the continuous support of our radio base greatly appreciated. The tricky conditions on the day certainly provided the adverse conditions for which we are trained to perform,
Crew member Trevor Leak aboard BH30 throws a well-aimed line to a boat full of teenagers grounded on rocks in South West Arm last October. Photo: Brad Whittaker.
and even elicited an email of appreciation from the Regional Operations Manager for the efforts of the crew and radio room. Recently we were able to celebrate Graham Clarke attaining 15 years’ service to the unit. Graham has and continues to contribute as skipper, Watch Officer and mentor, and gives valuable
assistance with base maintenance and acts as our chief humour officer! On a sad note, we have recently had to say farewell to Di Castro after five years as the unit’s Membership Officer. We thank her and wish her well, hoping that someday soon she may make her way back to our unit. John Lembke SOUNDINGS | MARINE RESCUE NSW
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