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In a Boating Emergency 
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Welcome to Marine Rescue KioloaWe’ve got you covered…Thanks to a major upgrade of its coastal communications infrastructure, Marine Rescue NSW now provides 24/7 continuous radio coverage along the NSW coastline from Point Danger in the North to Eden in the South. This extensive coastal radio service through our 44 Marine Rescue Units combined with normal mobile phone networks, ensures that no matter where you are or when you call, someone is listening at all times and is able to initiate a rescue response. Often this response will be from the nearest Marine Rescue unit but as a state-wide coordinated agency, and depending on the nature of the problem and level of urgency, rescue assets from other units may be activated or if appropriate, a rescue helicopter may be deployed. Whichever way, we’ve got you covered…
So if you see that “the lights are not on” at the Kioloa Base, this does not mean that your calls will not be answered or a rescue vessel will not be sent to help you. After hours, MR Kioloa still plays an important role in contributing to the Marine Rescue NSW 24/7 rescue response network. How to Contact the BaseThe vast majority of radio callers to Marine Rescue units are engaged in local coastal boating activities and carry radios and/or mobile phones. Although we strongly recommend that you carry a mobile phone when out boating, remember that if you are operating a vessel more than 2 nautical miles from the shore you are required by law to carry a radio. A radio is also recommended for all other vessels operating from Kioloa The recommended and most frequently used radio is VHF (Very High Frequency). Local Marine Rescue units also monitor 27Mhz radios however VHF radios are recommended to maximise the safety of boaters. For Logging On and Logging Off with MR Kioloa, the Marine Rescue mobile phone App is an increasingly popular and convenient method for communicating with the Base and ensuring your voyage details are known for your own safety. For more information on the App see www.marinerescuensw.com.au
Become a Volunteer Click for Application Details.
Ensuring that MR Kioloa and its rescue vessel Kioloa 20 have enough qualified volunteers presents a continuing challenge to the base and its small supporting community. In meeting this challenge MR Kioloa is seeking new volunteers to train as radio operators and boat crew. We’re on the lookout for people from a range of backgrounds aged 16 years or older who are keen to learn new skills in water safety, and experience the adventure of search and rescue aboard Kioloa 20. Click on the picture at left for application details.
Auxiliary members who can help out making crafts, jams, sauces and baking, and assisting on market days are always welcome. Click here for more details. A Reminder on Wearing Life JacketsIt was encouraging to see so many people launching from the ramp in small boats wearing life jackets over the holiday season. Marine Safety Regulation 2016 (NSW) states that each person on board a vessel under 4.8m (just under 15') in open waters must wear a life jacket (click the link in the left column for full details). If a vessel is longer than 4.8m, an appropriate life jacket for each person on board must be available. The operator of the vessel is responsible for the wearing of life jackets.
Marine Rescue NSW encourages the wearing of life jackets at all times while on board. A Busy Holiday Season…,End of January 2019With February now upon us, the members of Marine Rescue Kioloa are enjoying the drop in tempo of activities on and off the water and taking some well earned relaxation after a very busy holiday period with rescue vessel call-outs, daily radio watchkeeping and fundraising activities for the unit.
Rescue Vessel Operations The rescue vessel crew were thrown into it early, with a call-out at 8.30pm on Christmas night to search for a reported overturned vessel 1 km off Merry Beach. The Kioloa rescue vessel, KIOLOA 20 rapidly deployed and was on the scene off Merry Beach in 15 minutes, being joined shortly thereafter by the Toll rescue helicopter from Wollongong and later by a rescue vessel from Marine Rescue Ulladulla. Rescue Vessel KIOLOA 20 coordinated the on-water search with the Toll helicopter covering the rocky coastline. After 3 hours of searching the task was called off when nothing was found on the water and simultaneous investigations by NSW Water Police found that no vessels or persons had been reported as missing and that the original call to “000” was untraceable and likely a hoax. Despite this, the Kioloa and Ulladulla rescue vessels were back out on the water at first light on Boxing Day and spent a few more hours searching, just to be sure. A frustrating event for the crews, but it did prove to provide some good training and best of all, there was no actual loss or injury to persons on the water. After that hectic start, the only other incident of note was a call to assist a vessel that had broken down and required a tow back to Kioloa ramp. Safety Protocols at the Ramp Many of the boating public are unaware of the potential dangers surrounding launching ramps. While most of the boaties near the Kioloa ramp do the right thing and make way when the rescue vessel is at or approaching the ramp, a couple of boaters made the task difficult for us this season. Rest assured that the red and blue flashing lights on the rescue vessel are only turned on in an emergency and then only as a warning to other vessels, in particular when we have another vessel under tow. In addition to the flashing lights, in these situations the rescue vessel also flies the “DELTA” flag (blue and yellow) which means “restricted in our ability to manoeuvre” and needs to be given plenty of leeway. Thanks to all MRK Volunteers Off the water, our growing ranks of radio operators were helped out by nine members from Marine Rescue Ulladulla who volunteered to come down and do radio shifts to ensure that we stayed open from early morning until last boat back each day throughout the peak period. Many thanks to our colleagues at Ulladulla for the generous provision of support as well. A big thank you to the members of Marine Rescue Kioloa for their professionalism and dedication of the holiday season and their many hours of hard work to ensure we continue to provide a service to the local community both on and off the water. And Thank You Finally, a big thanks to you, the members of our community who generously support us. Your support and encouragement is what keeps us going. Unit Commander Elect at MRK is Peter White; deputy Unit Commander Elect is Peter Lee, 27 January 2019. At a recent meeting the volunteers at MR Kioloa unanimously elected current DUC Peter White to the position of Unit Commander (UC). Peter replaces Acting UC Bruce Mitchell.
Peter Lee is elected DUC at Kioloa replacing Peter White. Congratulations to Peter and Peter. $37.6 million of State Government Funding for Marine Rescue NSW, 29 January 2019.New vessels recommended for units along the NSW coast Including Kioloa. Read Commissioner Stacey Tannos' general statement for further details. Click info@marinerescuensw.com.au
Open Day at MRK, Monday 7 January 2019The Marine Rescue Kioloa Base Open Day on Monday 7 January 2018 was a success. Dozens of people came into the base and a healthy number were genuinely interested in what we are doing and how we operate. Thanks again to all MRK volunteers who attended and to all those visitors who came along to say hello.
MRK at Kioloa Fair, Saturday 5 January 2019Marine Rescue Kioloa did a roaring trade in bruch at the Kioloa Fair. The mobile information booth attracted interest and the bric a brac stall held its own. It was great to see MRK's continuing presence at the Fair and to see so many new volunteers.
A big thank you to MRK volunteers contributing to the 2019 Fair, and for the work put in during the days and weeks leading up to Saturday. Your efforts effect the viability of the unit and the service it provides to the general public. MRK made $4,432.00 from the craft, BBQ and bikes. In addition it received $303.75 in donations from the bucket. A total of $4,735.75. |
Supporters
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Bawley Point
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Scerri Drive, Kioloa NSW 2539
Tel: 02 44571109 uc.kioloa@marinerescuensw.com.au http://www.kioloamarinerescue.com http://www.marinerescuekioloa.com |
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