Marine Rescue NSW saves lives on the water. That’s the simple yet powerful mission statement that guides this amazing volunteer-based organisation. With the ocean at our doorstep, many of us spend time in, on or near the water enjoying a huge variety of recreational pursuits. While mostly it’s all about fun and sun and the wonders of the ocean, unfortunately sometimes things can, and do, go wrong. Marine Rescue NSW, like police, ambulance officers, firefighters, and the SES, is a first-response service, ready to assist in an emergency with highly trained and dedicated personnel. However, unlike those other very familiar services, much of the work done by Marine Rescue is offshore and, therefore, largely unseen.
Our surf lifesavers are world renowned for keeping a watch on the bathers at our patrolled beaches, assisting anyone having difficulty in the water. However, keeping people safe in the vast expanse beyond the breakers is the responsibility of the Marine Rescue volunteers. With 46 units strategically located along the NSW coast, Alpine Lakes and the Murray River, they maintain a 24-hour, seven days a week emergency response service for those in trouble on the water. People in boats of all sizes and shapes, fishermen swept from rocks, kayakers separated from their craft, and a range of other ocean-going enthusiasts are reliant on this lifesaving service.
This year marks 50 years of Marine Rescue Ulladulla. Based in an impressive modern building with stunning views of the harbour and beyond, the unit was rebuilt following a fire which gutted the previous base in 2013. The Ulladulla unit is responsible for an area of 3,500 square kilometres, with the volunteer staff maintaining vigilance and impressively high skill levels, which enable them to provide a rapid, effective response in any emergency. The state-of-the-art radio communications room is staffed every day, with an after-hours service managed by the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre. The Ulladulla unit maintains a rostered, on-call rescue crew at all times, backed up by an ‘everyone on deck’ culture in a crisis.
“I thrive in a crisis, and I see people’s skills come to the fore and know, ‘We’ve got this!’“
The most surprising aspect of this essential service is its heavy reliance on community support. While a generous allocation of state funding is shared across the organisation, the majority of operational costs are met through the fundraising activities of the volunteers, along with donations and grants. The entire unit is staffed by volunteers. Radio operators, rescue boat crew and the administrative team, including the near full-time role of unit commander, all generously give their time, skills and efforts without receiving payment. Like many volunteer organisations, fundraising is an essential aspect of their operational efficacy. Running large, powerful boats is an expensive undertaking. The largest of the three boats requires $2,500 worth of fuel to fill the tank, and meticulous maintenance of all equipment is essential. While the Ulladulla Wharf Markets, held each month, provide a regular source of income support, a range of fundraising activities must be undertaken to ensure that ongoing high operational costs are met. As Marine Rescue Ulladulla is one of many not-for-profit organisations reliant on community support, the team is respectful of the competition for donations and considers this in the planning and frequency of all fundraising events as well as the development of grant submissions. Unit Commander John Samulski says, “We don’t want to saturate the community – there are lots of organisations seeking the fundraiser dollar, and in tough financial times, we need to plan carefully to avoid stressing the community or upsetting other organisations.”
John joined the team three years ago. His long career in the Royal Australian Air Force and vast experience in crisis management set him in good stead for this important leadership role. His impressively forthright, somewhat military manner is softened by his obvious appreciation for the level of commitment and dedication he witnesses in the Ulladulla team members. His role is multi-faceted, and his expectations are high. “I thrive in a crisis, and I see people’s skills come to the fore and know, ‘We’ve got this!’” John also has a strong focus on team building and supporting staff in developing relevant skills and confidence. “With volunteers from a wide range of career backgrounds and a wealth of skills and experience, we put a lot of work into getting everyone on the same page. We are all here for the same purpose – to save lives at sea.”
Training is an integral part of maintaining a highly effective team. Rescue boat crews must be qualified in sea survival, advanced resuscitation and firefighting, along with having up-to-date boat and radio operator qualifications. “We are a registered training organisation, so we can deliver in-house training and run exercises to extend technical capability with other Marine Rescue NSW units. We work closely with the Water Police and also assist the Air Force in search and rescue operations.”
Ulladulla unit’s deputy commanders, Mandy Newton and Barry Clapson, have also brought very relevant experience to the Marine Rescue team. Mandy was formerly with the Australian Federal Police with a senior role in border protection, and Barry was in the Merchant Navy. Their skills are a valued asset to the unit and complement their roles. “When you spend your life working to keep people safe, you can’t just stop,” says Mandy. “I’m still saving lives and learning new skills. I feel useful, and it’s really interesting.” As with all the volunteers, they have a commitment to the community that doesn’t expire upon retirement.
“With volunteers from a wide range of career backgrounds and a wealth of skills and experience, we put a lot of work into getting everyone on the same page. We are all here for the same purpose – to save lives at sea.”
Running this service requires the dedication of many. Over 80 volunteers are currently involved, and according to John, 100 would be the ideal. Recruitment is undertaken through information nights and an active social media platform. The unit also has an educative role, with a focus on raising community awareness of the Marine Rescue NSW service and all aspects of water safety. Regular visits to local schools and representation at public events, such as the annual Blessing of the Fleet, as well as more informal engagement with boat owners, fishermen and campers during the holiday season, provide opportunities for the volunteers to promote the wearing of lifejackets on boats and the benefits of the Log On radio system. This free initiative enables individual boats to be monitored by Marine Rescue, tracking the vessel’s location and checking on its safe return to the harbour at their estimated time.
One evening in July, the Ulladulla radio control staff noted that a 12-metre yacht that had logged on to the system was travelling very slowly three kilometres offshore and about nine kilometres north of Ulladulla. Marine Rescue made contact with the vessel and was informed they had suffered damage to the boom controls and were struggling to make it into the harbour. A volunteer crew was quickly assembled, and a rescue vessel made its way to the stranded yacht, towing it into the harbour with a very grateful skipper on board. The incident was a clear example of how the Log On service provides a safety net for those at sea. It also demonstrates the initiative of our volunteers in reaching out before the situation became life-threatening.
While some ‘missions’ may be the result of poor planning or bad decisions on the part of those requiring assistance – “You couldn’t make it up,” says John, shaking his head – there are also serious situations when the Marine Rescue team face the challenges of rough weather, high seas and lives at risk. Despite most search and rescue missions resulting in a good outcome, occasionally, the team is faced with devastating tragedy. As with all first responders, the risk of being confronted with drownings or terrible injury comes with the territory. Coping with these situations is part of the ongoing volunteer training, and specialist support is also offered by the organisation in response to critical incidents. “The positive outcomes far outweigh the negative, and we are constantly improving our systems and detailed planning,” says Commander Samulski. “Knowing what the mission is and achieving that mission is very rewarding.”
“The positive outcomes far outweigh the negative, and we are constantly improving our systems and detailed planning,”
The role of Marine Rescue NSW is set to expand further with the demands placed on emergency services in the wake of the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters. During the terrible fires in the summer of 2019, Marine Rescue played an important role in the evacuation of people from local lakes and beaches and was more recently deployed to flooded areas in the state’s north where the shallow-hulled vessels within the Marine Rescue fleet, along with their trained crew, are capable of navigating a range of difficult conditions. The plan to increase these resources will provide additional support and supplement the SES capability in times of crisis. “Continuous improvement is the plan,” says John.
Powerful boats, modern equipment and leading-edge technology provide essential infrastructure. However, without the skills and commitment of the volunteers and the financial support of the community, the Marine Rescue Service cannot operate. There are some obvious attractions – training on the ocean on a calm, clear day with whales and seals and dolphins nearby must be pretty idyllic. But it’s the camaraderie and connection shared by like-minded people that really binds this group together, inspiring them to give so generously of their time. Whatever the motivation, we are grateful that these devoted volunteers are keeping watch.