Marine Rescue Trial Bay Unit Commander Ian Turner has two missions: saving lives on the water and growing the unit’s volunteer numbers.
Mr Turner said the South West Rocks-based unit is looking to add to its volunteer ranks when it hosts an open day this Sunday, 23 March, at the radio base, perched on top of Horseshoe Bay Headland.
“Marine Rescue Trial Bay currently has 58 skilled and dedicated volunteer members, but we are keen to recruit more from the local community and surrounding areas to join the service and help keep boaters safe on local waterways.
“Volunteers are crucial for the safety of local boaters.
“South West Rocks is a busy boating area, with volunteers at Marine Rescue Trial Bay completing a unit-record 43 search and rescue missions last year and safely returning 89 people to shore.
“The unit is looking to fill a variety of roles, from vessel crew to radio operations and fundraising.
“New volunteers don’t need any boating experience; we teach them everything they need to know, and all the training is free,” he said.
Marine Rescue Trial Bay is a not-for-profit volunteer search and rescue service and relies on community fundraising to assist with local operating costs.
“Our costs include fuel for the rescue vessel, maintenance and keeping the lights on at the base.
“It costs around $2,500 to service our rescue vessel, Trial Bay 30, which is a 10-metre Naiad powered by twin Suzuki 300-horsepower outboard engines,” Mr Turner said.
The Unit Commander praised the small but dedicated team of fundraisers who help keep the unit going.
“Our fundraisers are an amazing group of people who raise funds for the unit at a number of different events, including raffles and BBQs. They would appreciate more assistance,” Mr Turner said.
The Marine Rescue Trial Bay open day will run from 11 am to 1 pm this Sunday, 23 March at Horseshoe Bay Headland. Attendees will be able to tour the unit’s radio base, learn about the rescue vessel, and gain further knowledge about volunteering and safe boating, including the process behind Marine Rescue NSW’s internationally recognised app, which encourages boaters to always Log On and Log Off—saving precious time in the event of an emergency.
“We are also putting on a sausage sizzle and plenty of conversation with our dedicated volunteers,” Mr Turner 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.
