VMR

Radio Officer Peter McNamara made a surprise visit to the VMR base and presented a 10-year Service Badge to Radio Operator Ken Rogers. Thanks Ken from all the VMR Team.

Our Martin Jonkers Motors sponsored Hilux 4X4 on the beach just South of the Bribie Island Bar, retrieving a broken-down member’s Jet Ski along the beach on the Eastern Side of Bribie Island.

Friday 11th November 2022 35 Members and partners attended the November Happy Hour enjoying bar snacks and drinks at our usual great prices.

Leona and Graham Patrick enjoy a joke!

Andrew Wilmot with Jen Herbet enjoy the evening.

At midnight on Wednesday a dismasted yacht activated an EPIRB 6nm NE of Cape Moreton. Our primary rescue vessel Bribie 1 was dispatched by QPS in winds up to 30kts and seas to 2m. Bribie 1 arrived on scene with rescue helicopter overhead. Disabled 11m vessel had rigging down and crew distressed. Heavy seas prevented safe boarding, so vessel was taken under slow tow back to Bribie Island. a 7-hour operation in tough open water conditions, but crew and vessel got it done. Great job everyone.

A big Day for one of our crew Holly Darlington when she attended her school formal at the Sandstone Point Hotel, arriving in her car driven by her father Jamie Darlington to walk the Red Carpet with all of the class of 2022. On hand to view the occasion were some of her Crew Mates. Above John Burdinat, Ian Grimes, Holly Darlington, Karen Darlington, Jamie Darlington, and Commodore Ces Luscombe.

Conditions when we arrived on site, Rescue 500 Helicopter was providing light from above to help locate vessel.

On 14th October 1968 a group of boating enthusiasts formed the Bribie Island Boating and Yachting Club to indulge in their passion for the water. It continued until November 1972 with a name change sometime during the fouryear period to Bribie Island Yacht Club. During the period up until July 1974 the Club floundered somewhat until Ron and Julie Walters, and Rudie and Helen Berger canvassed the Island for persons interested in forming a fishing club. Some 70 people responded and at the next meeting of the Yacht Club

on 10 September 1974, formed a new body called the Bribie Island Boating and Fishing Club. John Laird was elected as the first Commodore. Annual subscriptions were set at $5.00 per person. One month later on 8th October 1974 the name was changed to Bribie Island Sea Rescue and Boating and Fishing Club with a bank credit of $236.49 and a constitution enabling the group to carry out rescues. Initially rescues were carried out using the boats of members with radio control operating off the front verandah from the home of Ron and Julie Walters. Radio Operators were on a roster and used this facility on weekends to give birth to VH4QM. During the period 1977 – 1978, a caravan was used as a control room on weekends until one of the members John Boyd donated a hut and permission was given to erect this hut on the beach in 1978, south of the current Bellara ramp.

The first Base/Radio Hut. (Follow-on articles will be published in subsequent Issues of this magazine).

All our Rescue Crews, Radio Operators, Maintenance Team, Office, and IT Support Teams are all here volunteering their time to help make your Summer of Boating an Enjoyable and Safe adventure for you, your family and friends. Please read the following advice from all the teams here at Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie, The Home of Safe Boating. You’re going Boating for the day, lucky YOU.

Make sure someone at home knows where you going to, and they have ready access to your boat and trailer details and your mobile number. Log On with your nearest VMR or Coast Guard from you departure point. Making sure you use your VMR or Coast Guard membership number or your vessel Registration Number. If you are a member of a VMR or Coast Guard, they will have your boat details already in their computer systems after confirming that they have the right vessel you will be asked: 1. Where are you leaving from? 2. Where are you going too? 3. How many POB? 4. What is your estimated time of return? 5. To confirm the last three digits of your mobile phone on board.

1. Name of Vessel? Rego Number? 2. Type of vessel? 3. Colour? 4. Length? and 5. your full mobile phone number. This information will be stored in their computer systems for future reference. When you return, please remember to Log Off.

WED 02/03 1444PM –12m Houseboat member jammed in mangroves at White Patch due to wind, required a tow and repositioning. FRI 11/11 1032AM – 3.2m Jet Ski member with motor issues Northern end of Bribie adjacent to campsite 19. Ski was on beach, VMR 4X4 collected trailer and towed Ski back along the beach. SUN 13/11 1514PM – MOP called to report that small Tinny towing a BBQ Boat near Bongaree Jetty appears in difficulty – investigated all OK. MON 14/11 1716PM – 4.3m Tinny non-member with motor problems, required a tow from Sandstone Point side of Passage to Spinnaker Sound Marina. THU 17/11 0034AM – 11m Yacht non-member, tasked by Water Police to rescue vessel from 6nm off Cape Morton which had been dismasted. Conditions were very rough, lost tow line numerous times, were dragging sail and mast in the water also at one stage. Towed vessel to Bongaree Jetty, arriving back some 10 hours later. THU 17/11 0703AM – A second vessel deployed from VMR to help with the dismasted assist from Skirmish Point to Bongaree Jetty. TUE 22/11 0058AM – 10m Trawler non-member required a tow off sand at Tangalooma and re-anchor. TUE 22/11 0440AM – 5.3m Sports Cruiser non-member out of fuel and drifting at the Sandhills Tangalooma, required a tow to Toorbul. TUE 22/11 0714AM – 7m Half Cabin member with starter motor problem at Turners Camp required a tow to Banksia Beach Canals. THU 24/11 1446PM – 4.75m Tinny member with motor issues, required a tow from Passage just North of Bridge to Bellara Boat Ramp.

Safety Dave the Frenchie says you must also keep safety equipment in date, in good repair and everyone on board must know where it is stored.

SAFETY DAVE THE FRENCHIE’S MESSAGE: Safety Dave says “With the weather improving check that your boat is in good order, check that you have all your safety gear and everyone on board knows its location, ensure it is easy to get at in an emergency, ensure your flares are in date, that your torch works, check your battery and your fuel. Ensure you let someone know of your plans, who is with you, where you are leaving from, where you are going, what time you are returning, and make sure you have either a mobile phone, VHF or 27Mhz marine radio on board.” PLEASE WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS!”