ON THE RADAR
Open day puts our capability on show Public swarm to Emergency Services Open Day display
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ormerly the preserve of members of Fire and Rescue NSW, this year’s May Open Day at the Emergency Services Academy saw members of many of the state’s emergency services join forces to mount an informative and engaging display for the public. The Marine Rescue NSW display featured a 12 person life raft and Rescue Water Craft (RWC), both of which were extremely popular with the hordes of attending primary school aged children. At times the life raft resembled a bright orange cubby house, with desperate parents trying to coax out younger children; while over on the RWC, the older children enjoyed the chance to hop on and take a ‘drive’ while talking to members of Marine Rescue Sydney on a portable hand-held radio. The display also featured a TV with informative videos, and lots of boating safety advice and resources, with the Marine Rescue NSW
colouring books proving a big hit with younger children. Marine Rescue NSW were represented at the open day by Marine Rescue Sydney members Chris Allen, David Crawford, James Rickards and Pamela Sayers, and were supported by Zone Duty Operations Manager Courtney Greenslade, General Manager Communications and Engagement Alison Dunsford, and Manager Media Phil Campbell. General Manager Communications and Engagement Alison Dunsford said that the day was a great opportunity to get out vital boating safety messages in a relaxed environment. “The life raft and RWC did a great job in grabbing the attention of children, enabling our members to talk with their parents on boating safety.” “Our attendance also highlighted our essential role as an emergency
The Marine Rescue NSW display was a winner with kids. Photo: Courtney Greenslade.
service, and helped to raise our profile with the wider community,
and we look forward to attending bigger and better next year.”
New Capability Manager joins Marine Rescue NSW Wealth of experience to help shape our future capability
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id-April saw the arrival of new Capability Manager, Craig Lunn, following the departure of the previous incumbent, Chris Jacobson. Craig brings with him extensive experience in maritime operations, capability and training, having worked in many countries for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Global Maritime Crime Programme in the role of Expert Maritime Law Enforcement Trainer. Over the past twenty years, he has operated in a range of diverse teams in senior roles as a lead maritime consultant, marine safety coordinator, Rescue Water Craft surf rescue instructor, Coxswain,
and in several command positions on vessels including superyachts, transfer and security vessels. Craig spent fifteen years serving Her Majesty’s Forces as a Royal Marines Commando, advancing to the role of Chief Instructor of Multinational Landing Craft. Craig has moved from Queensland to Cronulla with his partner and is looking forward to the challenges Marine Rescue NSW will provide him with. Craig said his vision for the Capability Manager role is to observe and assess our current operational, training and organisational capability and
requirements and to establish our strengths and potential areas for growth and improvement. “My aim is to support the team in formulating new and exciting strategic goals centred around developing consistent growth in all areas of capability, to continue promoting the organisation’s vision and achieve highly sustainable objectives for the future,” Craig said. “I look forward to making my way around to many of the operational units, listening to and supporting our volunteers and staff, with a long term goal to continue increasing their capacity and capability to save lives on the water.”
Craig Lunn SOUNDINGS | MARINE RESCUE NSW
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