Incidents and Events 2013
Veolia Mulwaree Trust Ceremonial Hand-Over of New Towing Vehicle, 7 December 2013

At a brief ceremony in front of the Marine Rescue Base on Skerri Drive, Kioloa the Chairman of Trustees of the Veolia Mulwaree Trust Paul Stephenson, OAM. handed Base Commander Louise Andrews the keys to MRK's new Pajero towing vehicle. The Pajero, decked out in Marine Rescue NSW livery was purchased with the assistance of a $15,000 grant from the Goulburn based Trust. Click here for further details of the grant.
At a morning tea provided by MRK volunteers Paul, a former mayor of Goulburn, and his wife Sue elaborated on the support provided by the Veolia Mulwaree Trust for organizations in the Mulwaree-Shoalhaven districts, and graciously praised the quality of MRK's submission. A 2.5 metre swell scotched the boat crew's plans of providing the guests with a tour around Brush Island in Kioloa 20. However, the quality of the cakes helped overcome their disappointment. More pictures below, Click to enlarge.
At a morning tea provided by MRK volunteers Paul, a former mayor of Goulburn, and his wife Sue elaborated on the support provided by the Veolia Mulwaree Trust for organizations in the Mulwaree-Shoalhaven districts, and graciously praised the quality of MRK's submission. A 2.5 metre swell scotched the boat crew's plans of providing the guests with a tour around Brush Island in Kioloa 20. However, the quality of the cakes helped overcome their disappointment. More pictures below, Click to enlarge.
Sad Passing of Richard Wright NM

Richard Wright N.M., Skipper at Marine Rescue Batemans Bay, sadly passed away on Sunday 6 October. Unit Commander Louise Andrews, on behalf of all volunteers at Marine Rescue Kioloa, extends her deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
With his extensive knowledge of the inlets, bars and rivers of the Batemans coast, plus his experience in small vessels, Richard provided valuable support to the crew of Kioloa 20 at MRK, especially over the past three years. Living in Batemans Bay Richard was awarded the National Medal in 2012 for his services to marine rescue.
Richard was loved and admired by his Marine Rescue colleagues at Kioloa Base.
With his extensive knowledge of the inlets, bars and rivers of the Batemans coast, plus his experience in small vessels, Richard provided valuable support to the crew of Kioloa 20 at MRK, especially over the past three years. Living in Batemans Bay Richard was awarded the National Medal in 2012 for his services to marine rescue.
Richard was loved and admired by his Marine Rescue colleagues at Kioloa Base.
Fire Destroys Marine Rescue Base at Ulladulla, 6 October 2013

Click the title above for Milton Ulladulla Times pictures and story about the blaze.The unit’s headquarters, on Ulladulla Harbour, was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Sunday, October 6, leaving the volunteers without an operating base. However, operation of the unit’s marine radio service has been temporaraily transferred to the Ulladulla Game Fishing Club.
Marine Rescue NSW's Commissioner Tannos met Ulladulla Unit Commander Ken Lambert, Illawarra Regional Controller Bruce Mitchell and MRNSW Illawarra Regional Director and former Ulladulla Unit Commander Doug Musker at the unit site at 10am Wednesday. The process of rebuilding will take time and a great deal of effort. The Commissioner said insurance assessors from the State Government’s Treasury Managed Fund had already carried out preliminary inspections of the site.
Marine Rescue NSW's Commissioner Tannos met Ulladulla Unit Commander Ken Lambert, Illawarra Regional Controller Bruce Mitchell and MRNSW Illawarra Regional Director and former Ulladulla Unit Commander Doug Musker at the unit site at 10am Wednesday. The process of rebuilding will take time and a great deal of effort. The Commissioner said insurance assessors from the State Government’s Treasury Managed Fund had already carried out preliminary inspections of the site.
SAREX at Basin View, St Georges Basin, 23 September 2013

On 23 September the Kioloa Boat Crew, Skipper P. White, Crewman N. Brown and trainee R. Jenkins, transported Kioloa 20 to a SAREX on St Georges Basin. An 0800 start at Basin View ramp saw all three participating vessels, SI 30, JB 20, and Kioloa 20, assembled at the jetty. The briefing by RC Bruce Mitchell reported 3 missing fisherman at a point north east of Garden Island and nominated JB 30 as the command vessel. Under perfect conditions all vessels departed at 0845, communicating over DCN 3.
Undisclosed to participating crews at the briefing was an "exercise MAYDAY". Pre-planned in confidence by Bruce Mitchell and RTO Glen Sullivan the MAYDAY was broadcast at approximately 1000, providing details of a stricken vessel in shallow water off the Eastern shore of the Basin. The MAYDAY was logged by all vessels and even intercepted by P. Holmes the watch keeper at MRK. Having already recovered one 'casualty', Kioloa 20 was the first to arrive at the stricken vessel. With crewman Brown remaining at the helm, Skipper White and crewman Jenkins boarded the vessel finding one casualty, conscious, but suffering burns. After shutting off the stricken vessel's fuel and power, the casualty was given first aid for burns and shock and transferred to JB 20 which came alongside within minutes. Kioloa 20 took the vessel in tow.
At the debriefing some crew were critical of the radio coms between vessels which, it was felt, were lax in observing "calling on" and "calling off" protocols. This resulted in fragmented communication among vessels leading, it was commented, to a delay in attending the MAYDAY. Nevertheless, Glen Sullivan was satisfied with the action taken by attending crews, reminding them of the importance to marine safety of shutting down power and fuel in stricken vessels.
This was the first exercise 'MAYDAY' attended by the MRK crew and all agreed it was a valuable experience. Click on the images below for full picture.
Undisclosed to participating crews at the briefing was an "exercise MAYDAY". Pre-planned in confidence by Bruce Mitchell and RTO Glen Sullivan the MAYDAY was broadcast at approximately 1000, providing details of a stricken vessel in shallow water off the Eastern shore of the Basin. The MAYDAY was logged by all vessels and even intercepted by P. Holmes the watch keeper at MRK. Having already recovered one 'casualty', Kioloa 20 was the first to arrive at the stricken vessel. With crewman Brown remaining at the helm, Skipper White and crewman Jenkins boarded the vessel finding one casualty, conscious, but suffering burns. After shutting off the stricken vessel's fuel and power, the casualty was given first aid for burns and shock and transferred to JB 20 which came alongside within minutes. Kioloa 20 took the vessel in tow.
At the debriefing some crew were critical of the radio coms between vessels which, it was felt, were lax in observing "calling on" and "calling off" protocols. This resulted in fragmented communication among vessels leading, it was commented, to a delay in attending the MAYDAY. Nevertheless, Glen Sullivan was satisfied with the action taken by attending crews, reminding them of the importance to marine safety of shutting down power and fuel in stricken vessels.
This was the first exercise 'MAYDAY' attended by the MRK crew and all agreed it was a valuable experience. Click on the images below for full picture.
Recovery of 3 Surfers and a Failed Jet Ski off Island Rocks, Kioloa, 15 September 2013
At 0800 on Sunday 15 September Skipper P. White and Crewman N. Brown were called by watch keeper P. Holmes to assist 3 surfers with a failed jet ski off Island rocks. Kioloa 20 with two crew on board was launched by S. Morris. The jet ski was taken in tow in a 2 metre swell, with one surfer remaining on board the jet ski to steer. The other two surfers were taken aboard Kioloa 20 which returned to the Kioloa ramp without incident. The ski was coasted onto the ramp and after a complex recovery off the beach by S. Morris Kioloa 20 was put away.
MRK wish to remind boaters that it is Marine Rescue's priority to save lives, rather than vessels.
MRK wish to remind boaters that it is Marine Rescue's priority to save lives, rather than vessels.
Operation Plutus: Combined Agency Training Camp, Currarong NSW, 16-17 August 2013

On 16-17 August 2013 Kioloa 20 and MR Kioloa crew members Skipper P. White, Crew N. Brown and trainees R Jenkins and P. Sharkey joined other volunteer units of the Illawara Division of Marine Rescue NSW and over 140 professionals and volunteers from Ambulance Service of NSW, State Emergency Services, NSW Rural fire Service, Surf Life Saving South Coast, Australian Defence Force (Navy), and NSW Water Police in a combined agencies training camp named Operation Plutus at Honeymoon Bay on Jervis Bay near Currarong NSW. The Operation takes its name from the wreck of the Plutus that sank in 3 metres of water off Currarong Beach in December 1882.
Organised by the Shoalhaven Local Emergency Management Committee with the recognition of Regional and State Emergency Committees and the State Rescue Board, the training camp is a Bi-Annual Multi-Agency exercise held over two days prior to the summer fire season. The camps provide the “opportunity for all of the combat and support agencies within the Shoalhaven to practice and develop their skills in a range of training modules and realistic exercises”.
Operation Plutus was directed by Paul Condon and Wes Hanrahan of NSW Police assisted by Liaison Officers from each of the participating agencies. Liaison Officers, including LO for Marine Rescue NSW Regional Commander Bruce Mitchell, were responsible for authorizing the commitment of agency resources to the exercise. As an LO Bruce was also responsible for advising on agency capabilities, communicating intelligence, updating current status and conveying implementation priorities in regard to Marine Rescue assets to Operations Centre as the exercise unfolded.
South Coast Training Officer Glen Sullivan played a key role as Marine Rescue Resource officer and Mentor, deploying role-playing props and demonstrating maritime safety equipment including the use of flares and life jackets.
Participating Marine Rescue Units included vessels of various categories from MR Shoalhaven, MR Jervis Bay, MR Sussex Inlet, MR Ulladulla and MR Kioloa.
Briefing on Operation Plutus on Saturday morning was preceded by a warm Welcome to Country delivered by Senior Elder Gordon Wellington on behalf of the Jerrinja Land Council, followed by opening remarks from Superintendent Jo Cassar of LEOCON.
Participants were divided into four mixed agency teams. For the rest of the day teams rotated among presentations provided by each agency of their first-line emergency capabilities and responsibilities.
Of particular interest to Marine Rescue NSW were demonstrations by the RFS of the recently introduced system of Simplex Interagency Channel radios, the retrieval of a ‘casualty’ from Police Vessel Victor by South Coast Rescue Helicopter off Bindijine Beach, and a spectacular mass letting off of flares at the waters edge under the able direction of Glenn Sullivan from Marine Rescue.
Sunday was devoted to an intensive field exercise practicing a multi-agency response to a major incident involving fire, casualties and hazards, conducted in and around waters off the Honeymoon Bay Camping Ground. Emphasis was upon safety, risk assessment, timely and effective resolution of tasks, and chain of command within and among agencies. The crew launched Kioloa 20 at Callala ramp and motored across to Honeymoon Bay for the commencement of the exercise.
Typical team scenarios involved search and recovery of ‘casualties’ up to a kilometer off shore by Marine Rescue Vessels. After providing position reports casualties were administered first aid on board including CPR, assisted by ambulance officers equipped with defibrillators ferried out to vessels, by the transporting of casualties to waiting SES personnel on shore, and the transfer of casualties from vessels using spinal stretchers.
Kioloa 20 retrieved a casualty off Honeymoon Bay and the crew undertook CPR. Upon reaching the shore, with the assistance of ambulance officers, the casualty was secured to a spinal stretcher and disembarked at Bindijine Beach Jetty. Kioloa 20 resumed searching, taking up a position 50 meters to port of Police Vessel Victor at 9 Knots off the Beecroft shoreline. The search was concluded at Point Perpendicular and Kioloa 20 returned to Callala.
Despite high winds and short seas on Jervis Bay all vessels returned safely with crews reporting the exercise a success.
Click on the images below for caption and larger image.
Organised by the Shoalhaven Local Emergency Management Committee with the recognition of Regional and State Emergency Committees and the State Rescue Board, the training camp is a Bi-Annual Multi-Agency exercise held over two days prior to the summer fire season. The camps provide the “opportunity for all of the combat and support agencies within the Shoalhaven to practice and develop their skills in a range of training modules and realistic exercises”.
Operation Plutus was directed by Paul Condon and Wes Hanrahan of NSW Police assisted by Liaison Officers from each of the participating agencies. Liaison Officers, including LO for Marine Rescue NSW Regional Commander Bruce Mitchell, were responsible for authorizing the commitment of agency resources to the exercise. As an LO Bruce was also responsible for advising on agency capabilities, communicating intelligence, updating current status and conveying implementation priorities in regard to Marine Rescue assets to Operations Centre as the exercise unfolded.
South Coast Training Officer Glen Sullivan played a key role as Marine Rescue Resource officer and Mentor, deploying role-playing props and demonstrating maritime safety equipment including the use of flares and life jackets.
Participating Marine Rescue Units included vessels of various categories from MR Shoalhaven, MR Jervis Bay, MR Sussex Inlet, MR Ulladulla and MR Kioloa.
Briefing on Operation Plutus on Saturday morning was preceded by a warm Welcome to Country delivered by Senior Elder Gordon Wellington on behalf of the Jerrinja Land Council, followed by opening remarks from Superintendent Jo Cassar of LEOCON.
Participants were divided into four mixed agency teams. For the rest of the day teams rotated among presentations provided by each agency of their first-line emergency capabilities and responsibilities.
Of particular interest to Marine Rescue NSW were demonstrations by the RFS of the recently introduced system of Simplex Interagency Channel radios, the retrieval of a ‘casualty’ from Police Vessel Victor by South Coast Rescue Helicopter off Bindijine Beach, and a spectacular mass letting off of flares at the waters edge under the able direction of Glenn Sullivan from Marine Rescue.
Sunday was devoted to an intensive field exercise practicing a multi-agency response to a major incident involving fire, casualties and hazards, conducted in and around waters off the Honeymoon Bay Camping Ground. Emphasis was upon safety, risk assessment, timely and effective resolution of tasks, and chain of command within and among agencies. The crew launched Kioloa 20 at Callala ramp and motored across to Honeymoon Bay for the commencement of the exercise.
Typical team scenarios involved search and recovery of ‘casualties’ up to a kilometer off shore by Marine Rescue Vessels. After providing position reports casualties were administered first aid on board including CPR, assisted by ambulance officers equipped with defibrillators ferried out to vessels, by the transporting of casualties to waiting SES personnel on shore, and the transfer of casualties from vessels using spinal stretchers.
Kioloa 20 retrieved a casualty off Honeymoon Bay and the crew undertook CPR. Upon reaching the shore, with the assistance of ambulance officers, the casualty was secured to a spinal stretcher and disembarked at Bindijine Beach Jetty. Kioloa 20 resumed searching, taking up a position 50 meters to port of Police Vessel Victor at 9 Knots off the Beecroft shoreline. The search was concluded at Point Perpendicular and Kioloa 20 returned to Callala.
Despite high winds and short seas on Jervis Bay all vessels returned safely with crews reporting the exercise a success.
Click on the images below for caption and larger image.
MR Ulladulla Team Familiarise Kioloa Crew with Ulladulla 30, 31 July 2013

R. Jenkins at the helm of "Ulladulla 30"
Marine Rescue Ulladulla's Unit Commander and duty skipper K. Lambert welcomed MRK Crew members N. Brown and R. Jenkins aboard MRU's new Steber rescue vessel Ulladulla 30 (click) on Wednesday 31 July. The skipper took the MRK crew on a familiarisation tour aboard the vessel before they departed Ulladulla Harbour, with 6 on board at 0930. Once at sea the MRK crew were treated to a demonstration of the vessel's maneuverability including a planing run at 28 Knots in a 2 metre swell. The MRK crew were impressed with Ulladulla 30's FLIR system, automatic pilot and other appointments. The 2 MRK crew shared a 30 minute stint at the helm - see pictures. Ulladulla is MRK's sister unit. Crews from both units regularly provide each other with operational support.
Kioloa 20 Navigates the Clyde River, 3 July 2013

Skipper P. White, left and trainee crewman R. Jenkins at the helm.
Kioloa 20 navigated the Clyde River from MR Batemans Bay to Nelligen on Wednesday 3 July 2013.
Before steaming up river Kioloa 20 headed out into the bay on a request from MR Batemans Bay to determine the under keel depth of the bar at low water. Bar depths at the mouth of the Clyde are currently subject to change as the result of dredging off the breakwater.
Using a local chart of the Clyde River provided by R. Wright from MR Batemans Bay, relieving skipper at MRK, Kioloa 20 re-entered the Clyde and proceeded up river to Nelligen with P.White skipper, N. Brown crew and R. Jenkins trainee crew on board.
At low water Kioloa 20's aerials had less than half a metre's clearance under the roadway of the bridge.
Before steaming up river Kioloa 20 headed out into the bay on a request from MR Batemans Bay to determine the under keel depth of the bar at low water. Bar depths at the mouth of the Clyde are currently subject to change as the result of dredging off the breakwater.
Using a local chart of the Clyde River provided by R. Wright from MR Batemans Bay, relieving skipper at MRK, Kioloa 20 re-entered the Clyde and proceeded up river to Nelligen with P.White skipper, N. Brown crew and R. Jenkins trainee crew on board.
At low water Kioloa 20's aerials had less than half a metre's clearance under the roadway of the bridge.
Kioloa 20 and Crew Rescue Elderly Man on Burrill Lake Thursday, 13 June 2013
Kioloa 20 and crew rescue an elderly fisherman from Burrill Lake late Thursday evening 13 June.
Final scenes of the rescue were captured on video. Click here to view.
Assisted by 2 marine rescue crew from Ulladulla, the crew of Kioloa 20 located the man after a 4 hour search in pitch darkness. Suffering from hypothermia the 73 year old was pulled from the water at about 2230 after slipping from his 3 metre tinnie 10 hours earlier. Unable to get back on board and without a lifejacket he was found standing knee deep in water on rocks at the base of a 3 metre cliff.
Ulladulla duty radio officer Barrie Lovell-Davis had been preparing to close the unit's base at Ulladulla Harbour about 6pm when a distressed woman arrived to alert rescuers that a friend had failed to return after launching his small boat from her backyard.
Mr Lovell-Davis alerted duty skipper and Ulladulla searchmaster Kevin Marshall, along with Marine Rescue Kioloa and Police Marine Area Command to arrange for the assignment of Kioloa 20, Marine Rescue Kioloa's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), to Burrill Lake.
Kioloa crew members Skipper Peter White, Crewman Peter Lee and launch assistant Steve Morris were joined at the lake by Ulladulla crewman Terry Campion and David Lindley.
Ulladulla Unit Commander Ken Lambert said the searchers had been guided by information the distressed woman had provided to the rescue crew and police about where the missing man liked to fish.
Skipper Peter White said that on the basis of this information the crew had searched the northern end of the lake before heading south in response to a further report indicating the man also fished in the shallow south-eastern arms of the lake, before they eventually found him.
Skipper White said the crew had been aided in the challenging search by the Kioloa unit's recent familiarisation training on uncharted local lakes, during which they conducted a navigational survey of the Burrill waterway.
After several hours of fruitless searching , the crew aboard Kioloa 20 spotted what looked like torchlights on the shore.
Crewman David Lindley said: "When we got closer the people on shore said they could hear someone calling out but they couldn't see anything. We went to Man o' War Bay and could hear the man calling for help and eventually we spotted him in the water by searchlight.
Terry Campion managed to get him on to the bow of the RHIB and we got him back to the ski ramp. He couldn't move his limbs and had to be carried ashore after we beached our boat."
The crew of Kioloa 20 had alerted the base and an ambulance was waiting on the shore to take the man to hospital for treatment.
Final scenes of the rescue were captured on video. Click here to view.
Assisted by 2 marine rescue crew from Ulladulla, the crew of Kioloa 20 located the man after a 4 hour search in pitch darkness. Suffering from hypothermia the 73 year old was pulled from the water at about 2230 after slipping from his 3 metre tinnie 10 hours earlier. Unable to get back on board and without a lifejacket he was found standing knee deep in water on rocks at the base of a 3 metre cliff.
Ulladulla duty radio officer Barrie Lovell-Davis had been preparing to close the unit's base at Ulladulla Harbour about 6pm when a distressed woman arrived to alert rescuers that a friend had failed to return after launching his small boat from her backyard.
Mr Lovell-Davis alerted duty skipper and Ulladulla searchmaster Kevin Marshall, along with Marine Rescue Kioloa and Police Marine Area Command to arrange for the assignment of Kioloa 20, Marine Rescue Kioloa's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), to Burrill Lake.
Kioloa crew members Skipper Peter White, Crewman Peter Lee and launch assistant Steve Morris were joined at the lake by Ulladulla crewman Terry Campion and David Lindley.
Ulladulla Unit Commander Ken Lambert said the searchers had been guided by information the distressed woman had provided to the rescue crew and police about where the missing man liked to fish.
Skipper Peter White said that on the basis of this information the crew had searched the northern end of the lake before heading south in response to a further report indicating the man also fished in the shallow south-eastern arms of the lake, before they eventually found him.
Skipper White said the crew had been aided in the challenging search by the Kioloa unit's recent familiarisation training on uncharted local lakes, during which they conducted a navigational survey of the Burrill waterway.
After several hours of fruitless searching , the crew aboard Kioloa 20 spotted what looked like torchlights on the shore.
Crewman David Lindley said: "When we got closer the people on shore said they could hear someone calling out but they couldn't see anything. We went to Man o' War Bay and could hear the man calling for help and eventually we spotted him in the water by searchlight.
Terry Campion managed to get him on to the bow of the RHIB and we got him back to the ski ramp. He couldn't move his limbs and had to be carried ashore after we beached our boat."
The crew of Kioloa 20 had alerted the base and an ambulance was waiting on the shore to take the man to hospital for treatment.
Combined Towing Exercise on Ulladulla Harbour, 12 June 2013

"Kioloa 20" standing off from the "Louis Dunn" aka "Ulladulla 20" after completing tow into Ulladulla Harbour.
Kioloa 20, Skipper P. White, crew N. Brown and trainee crew R. Jenkins, joined Ulladulla 20 skipper T. Campion and crew on Wednesday morning 12 June in a towing exercise off Ulladulla. The exercise was arranged by CO B. Mitchell for the purpose of demonstrating the use of a towing bridle by RHIBs with outboard motors.
Also participating in the demonstration were Chris Bowers and Terry ?? from Marine Rescue Port Kembla - Lake Illawarra Division.
The exercise explored the benefits of using a dual lug mounted bridle, instead of a deck mounted Samson post, as a strong point for attaching towing lines on RHIBs.
Skipper White elected to motor Kioloa 20 to Ulladulla Harbour from Kioloa, passing the breakwater at 0835 in calm seas in a quick time of 35 minutes. Nonetheless, a coffee at the Ulladulla Base was most welcome!
Following a short briefing Kioloa 20 rendezvoused with Ulladulla 20 0.5 miles off the breakwater at approximately 0930. Kioloa 20 deployed its light towing bridle and towed Ulladulla 20, a significantly larger twin-hulled vessel, back into the harbour at 6 knots. The towing bridle performed well. However, it was noted that the low mounting positions of the bridle caused the towing line to chafe the covers of Kioloa 20's twin outboard motors when maneuvering through tight turns. It is recommended that for this and the maintenance of stability care be taken when turning, especially with heavy vessels under tow, and that very tight turns be avoided when using a bridle. K. Lambert advises that for the maintenance of stability a bridle constraint limiting the towing rope to 30 degrees at the samson post is employed by Ulladulla 30 when turning with vessels under tow.
Despite the difference in size Kioloa 20, under its own power, was able to raft up the larger vessel and bring it alongside the south jetty successfully .
The following images show vessels, crews, stages in the towing process and deployment of the bridle.
Also participating in the demonstration were Chris Bowers and Terry ?? from Marine Rescue Port Kembla - Lake Illawarra Division.
The exercise explored the benefits of using a dual lug mounted bridle, instead of a deck mounted Samson post, as a strong point for attaching towing lines on RHIBs.
Skipper White elected to motor Kioloa 20 to Ulladulla Harbour from Kioloa, passing the breakwater at 0835 in calm seas in a quick time of 35 minutes. Nonetheless, a coffee at the Ulladulla Base was most welcome!
Following a short briefing Kioloa 20 rendezvoused with Ulladulla 20 0.5 miles off the breakwater at approximately 0930. Kioloa 20 deployed its light towing bridle and towed Ulladulla 20, a significantly larger twin-hulled vessel, back into the harbour at 6 knots. The towing bridle performed well. However, it was noted that the low mounting positions of the bridle caused the towing line to chafe the covers of Kioloa 20's twin outboard motors when maneuvering through tight turns. It is recommended that for this and the maintenance of stability care be taken when turning, especially with heavy vessels under tow, and that very tight turns be avoided when using a bridle. K. Lambert advises that for the maintenance of stability a bridle constraint limiting the towing rope to 30 degrees at the samson post is employed by Ulladulla 30 when turning with vessels under tow.
Despite the difference in size Kioloa 20, under its own power, was able to raft up the larger vessel and bring it alongside the south jetty successfully .
The following images show vessels, crews, stages in the towing process and deployment of the bridle.
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Deputy Commander Joan Noble Awarded Emergency Services Medal, 2013

Joan Noble ESM
Deputy Commander Joan Noble has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal in the Queens Birthday Awards 2013 in recognition of her volunteer services to Marine Rescue Kioloa and to Marine Rescue New South Wales.
Commander Louise Andrews along with all members of Marine Rescue Kioloa offer Joan their hearty congratulations on her award.
One of only four recipients of the ESM in NSW Joan Noble has worked tirelessly in furthering the development of marine rescue services on the south coast of NSW. Warmly regarded by the Kioloa, Bawley Point community Joan, a peerless writer of grants, has raised thousands of dollars towards converting Marine Rescue Kioloa into a fully operational unit of Marine Rescue New South Wales.
A fully qualified watch keeper Joan remains MRK's principal Standby Radio Operator enabling VMR 206 to maintain a 24 hour radio watch across all channels. In addition Joan is Deputy Commander of MRK a role that includes administration of the base, chairing monthly meetings, treasurer and record keeping.
Joining the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol with her late husband Unit Commander Fred Noble in 2000 Joan's prodigious administrative skiils have shepherded Kioloa base through its transition from RVCP to MRNSW.
We join with other members of the local community in congratulating Joan on being the recipient of this prestigious award.
Commander Louise Andrews along with all members of Marine Rescue Kioloa offer Joan their hearty congratulations on her award.
One of only four recipients of the ESM in NSW Joan Noble has worked tirelessly in furthering the development of marine rescue services on the south coast of NSW. Warmly regarded by the Kioloa, Bawley Point community Joan, a peerless writer of grants, has raised thousands of dollars towards converting Marine Rescue Kioloa into a fully operational unit of Marine Rescue New South Wales.
A fully qualified watch keeper Joan remains MRK's principal Standby Radio Operator enabling VMR 206 to maintain a 24 hour radio watch across all channels. In addition Joan is Deputy Commander of MRK a role that includes administration of the base, chairing monthly meetings, treasurer and record keeping.
Joining the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol with her late husband Unit Commander Fred Noble in 2000 Joan's prodigious administrative skiils have shepherded Kioloa base through its transition from RVCP to MRNSW.
We join with other members of the local community in congratulating Joan on being the recipient of this prestigious award.
Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) at St. Georges Basin, 27 May 2013

Crew Briefing by Acting Sergeant Gary Webster of Port Kembla Water Police.
On Monday 27 May Kioloa 20, skipper P. White, crew N. Brown and trainee crew R. Jenkins, joined vessels from MR Jervis Bay skipper L. Shute, MR Shoalhaven skipper M. Bodle, and MR Sussex Inlet skipper T. Dunlop at the Basin View ramp for search and rescue exercises on St Georges Basin NSW. Planned by MR Regional Commander Bruce Mitchell and directed by Acting Sergeant Gary Webster of Port Kembla Water Police with two assisting officers, the SAREX simulated the search for 2 persons in a small runabout presumed missing somewhere on the waters of St Georges Basin. In preparation for the exercise police deposited two dummy "casualties" at undisclosed locations.
Acting Sergeant Webster briefed crews on details of the missing runabout, click here to view briefing, outlining plans for the search. Details including the last known position of the vessel, the number of people on board and the weather conditions prevailing since last contact were circulated to skippers. This was followed by a helpful revision of the basic principles underlying marine search and rescue.
Sussex Inlet 10, skipper Tom Dunlop, was designated vessel in command and VHF radio channel 06 adopted as communicating channel. Some crew were directed aboard different vessels including Aaron from MR Jervis Bay who was welcomed on board Kioloa 20. At approximately 0900 vessels Jervis Bay 10, Shoalhaven 10 and Kioloa 20 took up a starting position at an agreed spacing of 50 metres in line to port of the command vessel, about 300 metres off Basin View ramp. The search got underway by 0915 at a speed of 10 Knots on a course of 180 degrees magnetic.
Ideal weather conditions enabled crews to practice the use of visual spacing in maintaining station. Kioloa 20 also practiced use of the VBL and VRM function on its RADAR, see pictures below. The standard search routine involved navigating a series of "box" patterns, click here for pattern applied. At a signal from the command vessel all vessels turned either 90 or 180 degrees to port or starboard as required. At predetermined intervals progress was paused allowing the RHIB Shoalhaven 10 to investigate a number of shallow estuaries in search of the missing persons. The exercise was completed around noon with the location of both 'casualties' off Garden Island by Jervis Bay 10, and their recovery by Sussex Inlet 10. Vessels returned to the ramp for crew debriefing by Acting Sergeant Webster. The Sergeant expressed satisfaction with conduct of the exercise taking the opportunity, nevertheless, to remind crews of the importance of gathering detailed intelligence prior to and during any rescue undertaking and of the need to keep meticulous records. Click here for command boat records of the search as it unfolds. He also reminded crews of the dangers in underestimating the hostility of the marine environment to human life.
Click on the images below for more detail.
Acting Sergeant Webster briefed crews on details of the missing runabout, click here to view briefing, outlining plans for the search. Details including the last known position of the vessel, the number of people on board and the weather conditions prevailing since last contact were circulated to skippers. This was followed by a helpful revision of the basic principles underlying marine search and rescue.
Sussex Inlet 10, skipper Tom Dunlop, was designated vessel in command and VHF radio channel 06 adopted as communicating channel. Some crew were directed aboard different vessels including Aaron from MR Jervis Bay who was welcomed on board Kioloa 20. At approximately 0900 vessels Jervis Bay 10, Shoalhaven 10 and Kioloa 20 took up a starting position at an agreed spacing of 50 metres in line to port of the command vessel, about 300 metres off Basin View ramp. The search got underway by 0915 at a speed of 10 Knots on a course of 180 degrees magnetic.
Ideal weather conditions enabled crews to practice the use of visual spacing in maintaining station. Kioloa 20 also practiced use of the VBL and VRM function on its RADAR, see pictures below. The standard search routine involved navigating a series of "box" patterns, click here for pattern applied. At a signal from the command vessel all vessels turned either 90 or 180 degrees to port or starboard as required. At predetermined intervals progress was paused allowing the RHIB Shoalhaven 10 to investigate a number of shallow estuaries in search of the missing persons. The exercise was completed around noon with the location of both 'casualties' off Garden Island by Jervis Bay 10, and their recovery by Sussex Inlet 10. Vessels returned to the ramp for crew debriefing by Acting Sergeant Webster. The Sergeant expressed satisfaction with conduct of the exercise taking the opportunity, nevertheless, to remind crews of the importance of gathering detailed intelligence prior to and during any rescue undertaking and of the need to keep meticulous records. Click here for command boat records of the search as it unfolds. He also reminded crews of the dangers in underestimating the hostility of the marine environment to human life.
Click on the images below for more detail.