5 minute read

VMR

BRIBIE ISLAND

John Traill Public Relations Officer - Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie Island Phone: (07) 5327 2747 Mob: 0407 537 323 publiclrelations@vmrbribie.com

Advertisement

HAPPY HOUR

- Friday 30th September 2022

38 Active members and partners attended the September Happy Hour with drinks at great prices and bar snacks supplied. Thank you, Peter Morton, for manning the bar and preparing the bar snacks.

Gwen McNamara catches up with Barb O’Hagan. Karen Llewellyn identifies the components of a first aid kit. Peter McNamara ties the triangle bandage on Dave Smith after bandaging his snake bite to the arm.

Tim Amourous, Sheryl Traill, Gail Tranter, and Pauline Amourous enjoying the sunset from the balcony.

Andrew Wilmot, Vanessa and Rob Taylor, and Jen Herbert enjoy the sunset.

Lyn Wendt with John and Linda Burdinat.

FIRST AID AND CPR TRAINING

Saturday & Sunday 1st & 2nd October 2022. This course teaches the skills and knowledge required to provide first aid response to a casualty which our volunteers may encounter in the course of their duties.

All VMR Boat Crew and Coxswains are required to hold a current First Aid qualification, and it is encouraged that all our volunteers acquire these important skills. The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and online training and assessment. The course is structured to meet National Certification.

We are very fortunate that one of our members, Karen Llewellyn, is a qualified Instructor as an RN and Nurse Educator and has been performing this important function for us now for 6 years.

Karen demonstrates moving a casualty (Mark Horsburgh) into the recovery position

John Traill and Chris Hadley practice CPR.

BUSYFINGERS XMAS IN OCTOBER

Friday 7th October – The management and Social Committees put on a Xmas in (July) October Function for our great friends at Busyfingers to say thanks for the enormous support they have given VMR Bribie Island throughout the years. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, so we were limited with numbers and disastrous water damage from the roof under repair, so we had to postpone early dates. Master of Ceremonies, Peter McNamara welcomed all and went through the usual housekeeping and safety briefings and a short video of a recent MAYDAY call in which we were involved and demonstrated just what their contributions enabled us to train for and to conduct when required. The attendees were then entertained with Christmas trivia with prizes, along with “der Musikmeister” Gary Voss providing both beer drinking (Oktoberfest) and 60’s (?) music for entertainment

and occasional dancing! Whilst the meal of Baked Ham, Roast Chicken, Baked Potato Gratin, and vegetables was prepared Peter held the floor with more Christmas trivia and prizes of chocolates in VMR Stubby Coolers. Peter then arranged one person per table to compete in a beer drinking competition with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Competitors were given the choice of full strength, light and no-alcohol beer. All competitors were awarded a free drink! Finally, Vice Commodore Ces Luscombe thanked President Pauline Hindle and all her helpers for their ongoing support and announced that cake and fruit were available for dessert. Busyfingers President Pauline responded to VMR Bribie’s welcome and hospitality for a great evening and assured us that they will continue to support us for the great work we do for the local community.

Betty Snell welcomed all at the door.

VMR Social Committee ladies ready to serve dinner, from left Betty Snell, Brenda Allardyce, Sheryl Traill, Janine Jaavuo, Sharyn Giles, and Leona Patrick.

Above and below: some of our Busyfingers guests. Vice Commodore Ces with Commodore Liz and Busyfingers’ President Pauline cut the cake!

The Dance-Off in action!

Santa with the winners of the Beer Drinking Contest and their trophies.

TRAINING IN THE PASSAGE

Sat 1st Oct 2022 – White Saturday.

Bribie 1 also exercising near Buckley’s Hole. As you can see, not always smooth water in the Passage!

JOINT EX RURAL FIRE TOORBUL

At the weekend Toorbul Rural Fire fighters and VMR Bribie Island’s White Sunday Crew got together and took part in a exercise on the Pumicestone Passage and Toorbul, practising evacuation procedures in the event that they are needed. We enjoy training with our local emergency services, both getting to know them and to learn new skills.

Great day for VMR crew as well. White Sunday Skipper Jon Brice, Noel Wendt at the helm, and Mark Purtell. Enjoyed having Rural Fire train for scenarios for evacuation with us.

SEPTEMBER/OCT VESSEL ASSISTS:

SEP/OCT VESSEL ASSISTS: FRI 30/09 0901am – 5m Centre Console non-member taking on water at White Patch, required a pump out and was escorted back to Bongaree Boat Ramp.

SAFETY DAVE THE FRENCHIE’S MESSAGE:

Safety Dave says "Check your safety gear, ensure your flares are in date and dry, that you have a fire extinguisher, torch, v-sheet, life jackets; and that they are easily accessible. We talk a lot about servicing inflatable Life Jackets but there are also the old faithful foam filled life Jackets that we see a lot of on vessels. A lot of the time these are stashed away in the boat they get wet and sun damaged and forgotten about, these need to be checked annually too. Check the life jacket for signs of: • Sun Damage • Fading • Rips • Check the buckle works • Inspect straps for any deterioration • If reflective strips are attached make sure they are clean and undamaged. • Make sure the whistle works. Look after the equipment that will look after you.!"

“SO PLEASE WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS!” “BUT importantly – Always remember if you are heading out on the water LOG ON with your local VMR or Coast Guard, its a free service for everyone, so why wouldn't you! - It just may save your life!"

YEAR TO DATE RADIO ROOM STATISTICS

To Thursday 13th October 2022: 10,534 Calls, 2,863 vessels logged on, 224 Vessel Assists, 1,228 Sitreps, 591 Requests, 30 overdue vessels, 29 Vessel Tracking, 1207 Radio Checks, 6 Weather Broadcasts, 132 Securite Broadcasts, 0 Pan Pan 2 Mayday.

VHF 61.8%, 27MHz 0.2%, Phone 17.0%. GWN 2.1%