The actions of an observant Marine Rescue Port Kembla Watch Officer has led to a male kayaker being saved off Port Kembla on the evening of Thursday 21 November.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said volunteer Watch Officer, Phillip Turner was on duty at Marine Rescue Port Kembla’s Hill 60 radio tower when he noticed an upturned kayak on waters off Big Island, which is part of Wollongong’s Five Islands.
“Phillip made the sighting at 5.15pm before NSW Police Marine Area Command was informed.
“A second person was also spotted paddling in the area.
“A multi-agency response was initiated with a Marine Rescue Port Kembla crew mustered and set to be deployed on recuse vessel Port Kembla 31 when Wollongong City Council lifeguards from Port Kembla Beach, who were on duty at the time, used a jet ski and rescued the paddler from Martin Islet and returned him to shore.
“The other man who was kayaking in the area was also assisted back to Port Kembla beach,” he said.
Inspector Massey said conditions off Wollongong were windy this evening and not suitable for non-powered watercraft offshore.
“Without the keen observation of Marine Rescue Port Kembla Watch Officer Phillip Turner and the response from council lifeguards, the outcome could been different,” Inspector Massey said.
Marine Rescue NSW encourages all paddlers and boaters to Log On and Off with Marine Rescue NSW either via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16.
“Logging On ensures Marine Rescue NSW volunteers keep watch for their safe return and in the event they go overdue a search is initiated. Logging On saves precious time during an emergency. The paddler this afternoon was not Logged On,” Inspector Massey said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
