Incidents and Events 2015
Compuport Install New Computers at MRK, 21 September 2015
Technicians from Compuport
Technicians from Compuport, a computer company in Ulladulla, installed three new computers at MRK on Monday 21 September. The computers, one laptop and two networked desktop PCs, funded in large part by a 2015 ClubGRANT, upgrade the existing hotch-potch system at MRK. MRK has undertaken the upgrading of its computers in anticipation of extensive digitisation of rescue practices by Marine Rescue NSW.
Inclinator Installed at MRK Base, August 2015
Inclination seat. Arms and seat of the chair fold back when not in use.
MRK has installed an inclinator on the stairs to the first floor of the Base on Skerri Drive. The inclinator assists volunteers suffering disabilities and ill health in gaining access to the first floor radio room and reception area, made difficult by the steep narrow staircase. The arms and seat fold back when the inclinator is not in use providing near full access to the breadth of the stairway. The chair can be summoned from ground or first floor using a remote control device.
The inclinator was funded through funds raised by MRK volunteers, whom MRNSW also now refer to as "Unpaid Professionals".
The inclinator was funded through funds raised by MRK volunteers, whom MRNSW also now refer to as "Unpaid Professionals".
Associate Members Options of Further Training at MRK, July 2015
At its July mess meeting MRK volunteers agreed to consider training associate members in driving the Base's rescue boat launch and retrieval tractor. This mitigates against the lack of a driver in cases of reduced boat crew availability. Many of the associate members are women and MRK sees this as an opportunity for reaffirming its encouragement of participation by all MRK volunteers in front line rescue operations.
Innovative Winch System for Raising Kioloa 20's Targa Designed and Proven by Steve Morris at MRK, 14 May 2015
Detachable bracket, winch, roving pulleys and soft spliced rope anchorage at left.
A deceptively simple, detachable winch system for raising and lowering Kioloa 20's heavy targa has been designed and installed by MRK volunteer Steve Morris. The winch assembly enables the targa, laden with heavy navigation equipment, and needing to be lowered for towing by road and for garaging of the vessel, to be raised and lowered safely by one crew member. In addition to its OH&S benefits, the winching assembly can be detached quickly after deployment, improving the emergency vessel's overall preparation time.
Raising and lowering the targa previously required two (very strong) persons ruling out qualified female crew and experienced senior volunteers from participating in its deployment. Raising the targa by a single person enables efficient redeployment of crew for other emergency duties.
Images below depict the easily detachable roving mechanism which applies three levels of advantage through an ingenious pulley system connected to a ratcheted boat trailer style winch.
Raising and lowering the targa previously required two (very strong) persons ruling out qualified female crew and experienced senior volunteers from participating in its deployment. Raising the targa by a single person enables efficient redeployment of crew for other emergency duties.
Images below depict the easily detachable roving mechanism which applies three levels of advantage through an ingenious pulley system connected to a ratcheted boat trailer style winch.
New Engines for Kioloa 20, 24 April 2015
Kioloa 20's new 75HP Honda outboard engines.
New replacement engines for Kioloa 20 have been purchased from and installed by Power and Sail at Batemans Bay. Refinements to the engine management systems of the new Honda 75 HPs have resulted in significant increases in torque. Crew of Kioloa 20 report less cabin fumes, quieter operation and increased responsiveness from the new Hondas. The replacement program at MRK was supervised by Steve Morris.
Marine Rescue Kioloa Lays Wreath at the ANZAC Day Centenary Commemoration in Kioloa, Saturday 25 April 2015
MRK Commander Louise Andrews and Deputy Commander Joan Noble ESM lay a wreath on behalf of Marine Rescue Kioloa at the ANZAC Day Centenary Commemoration Ceremony, Kioloa.
Over 200 people attended the ceremony presided over by Col Mason.
The service was delivered by naval officer Barry Porter.
Over 200 people attended the ceremony presided over by Col Mason.
The service was delivered by naval officer Barry Porter.
Tragic Loss of Clive Millen Deputy Commander MRU, February 2015
Volunteers at Marine Rescue Kioloa were greatly saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Clive Millen, Deputy Commander Marine Rescue Ulladulla. MRU commander Ken Lambert said that "Clive Joined the Coastal patrol in 2001 and has spent many years serving our local community as a radio operator, watch officer and land based operations officer", he will be "sadly missed by his mates" (reported by K. Condie in the MUT, 4 February 2015). Clive Millen's funeral was attended by senior politicians, local government representatives and representatives from Marine Rescue NSW. Marine Rescue Kioloa was represented by Base Commander Louise Andews and Deputy Commander Joan Noble ESM.
Mysterious 'Exercise' by South Care Helicopter off Belowla Island, Saturday Morning 24 January 2015
South Care Copter Hovering Off Belowla
MRK Watch Keeper Alan Wheeler was surprised to see a South Care Rescue Helicopter travelling north along Kioloa and Racecourse Beaches on Saturday Morning at approximately 1100. The copter turned south at Brush Island and returned to a point off the southern tip of Belowla Island hovering approximately 50 metres above the sea. What appeared to be a paramedic was lowered into the water and promptly recovered. The copter turned south and left.
N. Brown, crew at MRK, heard the hovering copter and drove to the base in the belief that an emergence was taking place. P. White, MRU, from his home on Scerri Drive Kialoa, did the same, N. Brown capturing the image at left.
Alan Wheeler tried to contact the copter on VHF Channel 16, hearing no reply. Regional Commander Bruce Mitchell was notified reporting that he had heard nothing about the 'exercise'.
MRK volunteers, not to mention members of the public, were disconcerted by the event insofar as the presence of a rescue helicopter in this location presaged the likelihood of an emergency, raising understandable concerns. We would like to know if exercises are intended.
N. Brown, crew at MRK, heard the hovering copter and drove to the base in the belief that an emergence was taking place. P. White, MRU, from his home on Scerri Drive Kialoa, did the same, N. Brown capturing the image at left.
Alan Wheeler tried to contact the copter on VHF Channel 16, hearing no reply. Regional Commander Bruce Mitchell was notified reporting that he had heard nothing about the 'exercise'.
MRK volunteers, not to mention members of the public, were disconcerted by the event insofar as the presence of a rescue helicopter in this location presaged the likelihood of an emergency, raising understandable concerns. We would like to know if exercises are intended.
Kioloa 20 Tows Stranded Half-Cabin Runabout on Burrill Lake, 10 January 2015
Skipper Campion left leaves crew Morris and Lee to the dirty work. Note the subtle sartorial differences between skipper and crew.
At 1600 Saturday 10 January Deputy Commander Joan Noble received a phone call from Bruce Mitchell Regional Commander South Coast re a small vessel stranded at a remote beach on Burrill Lake near Ulladulla. Bruce had few details other than that the vessel had been stranded for a number of hours and those on board were in no immediate danger. Kioloa 20, a trailable vessel suitable for lake duty, was called to assist.
Duty skipper Terry Campion from MR Ulladulla, agreed to skipper Kioloa 20, supported by a Kioloa boat crew composing N. Brown, P. Lee and S. Morris. Kioloa 20 was prepped for road trailing, with generous assistance from P. White, and departed the Base at 1645, MR Kioloa's towing vehicle, call sign Kioloa 50, driven by S. Morris.
Skipper Campion met the Kioloa crew at The Kings Point Ramp 1730. Kioloa 20 with 4 on board departed the ramp 1745, N. Brown pilot, P. Lee and S. Morris keeping watch. Campion logged on using VHF, DCN channels not serviceable on the Lake.
Skipper Campion gave the stranded vessel's position as approximately due west of the Kings Point ramp. The vessel, a 4.7m Quintrex half-cabin with a 70hp Yamaha engine was hailed by Kioloa 20 at 1800. The skipper of the stranded vessel, David Fry from Sans Souci, advised there were 6 on board, including one elderly adult and 3 school age children. 3 life jackets were distributed and a tow line hitch to the samson post of the "Quinnie". The skipper requested a tow back to the location of his car and trailer at an "estuary ramp" adjacent to the Princes Highway.
The tow proved uneventful other than within 10 minutes Skipper Fry hailed with advice that he had been able to start his engine. The tow was unhitched and Kioloa 20 escorted the vessel on to the ramp. Upon arrival life jackets were returned and details of the incident were exchanged.
Kioloa 20 returned to the Kings Point Ramp at 1845, prepped for trailing, and headed back to the Base. After reprepping for sea duty the vessel and crew stood down at 2000.
Duty skipper Terry Campion from MR Ulladulla, agreed to skipper Kioloa 20, supported by a Kioloa boat crew composing N. Brown, P. Lee and S. Morris. Kioloa 20 was prepped for road trailing, with generous assistance from P. White, and departed the Base at 1645, MR Kioloa's towing vehicle, call sign Kioloa 50, driven by S. Morris.
Skipper Campion met the Kioloa crew at The Kings Point Ramp 1730. Kioloa 20 with 4 on board departed the ramp 1745, N. Brown pilot, P. Lee and S. Morris keeping watch. Campion logged on using VHF, DCN channels not serviceable on the Lake.
Skipper Campion gave the stranded vessel's position as approximately due west of the Kings Point ramp. The vessel, a 4.7m Quintrex half-cabin with a 70hp Yamaha engine was hailed by Kioloa 20 at 1800. The skipper of the stranded vessel, David Fry from Sans Souci, advised there were 6 on board, including one elderly adult and 3 school age children. 3 life jackets were distributed and a tow line hitch to the samson post of the "Quinnie". The skipper requested a tow back to the location of his car and trailer at an "estuary ramp" adjacent to the Princes Highway.
The tow proved uneventful other than within 10 minutes Skipper Fry hailed with advice that he had been able to start his engine. The tow was unhitched and Kioloa 20 escorted the vessel on to the ramp. Upon arrival life jackets were returned and details of the incident were exchanged.
Kioloa 20 returned to the Kings Point Ramp at 1845, prepped for trailing, and headed back to the Base. After reprepping for sea duty the vessel and crew stood down at 2000.
Kioloa 20 Rescues 3 Fisherman After Flares Sighted Off Snapper Point, 4 January 2015
Two rescued fiisherman seated aboard "Kioloa 20" and the disabled tinny, with a third fisherman aboard, under tow.
At at 0809 on Sunday morning, 4 January, Marine Rescue Kioloa operator Neil Brown responded to a call from a Merry Beach resident reporting distress flares approximately 1.5 NM off Snapper Point. Neil alerted Base Commander Louise Andrews and South Coast Regional Commander Bruce Mitchell, Bruce informing Neil that he would task Ulladulla 30 to investigate in the vicinity of the sightings south of Merry Beach. MACSAR called the Kioloa Base at 0812 seeking confirmation of the reported sightings and were told that Bruce was deploying Ulladulla 30 to search the area. Louise Andrews assembled a Kioloa boat crew who readied the lifeboat Kioloa 20 for launching, pending approval from Bruce Mitchell. The Kioloa crew composed P. White skipper, N. Brown and S. Morris crew with P. Lee acting as launch master. Kioloa 20 launches from the beach ramp adjacent to the Base a process requiring considerable experience by lifeboat crews. Receiving Bruce Mitchell's approval at 0845, Kioloa 20 launched, clearing O'Hara Head at 0850 on a compass heading of 190 degrees. Two recreational fishing vessels were encountered off O'Hara Island 3 NM south of Kioloa, the occupants reporting sighting 'flames' on the southern horizon 2 hours earlier. Skipper White headed Kioloa 20 towards the reported direction at 20 knots, S. Morris spotting the disabled vessel drifting at 0905.
The vessel, a 3.9 metre punt-nosed runabout with 3 on board was experiencing electrical problems and failing to start. Two of the fisherman were transferred to Kioloa 20 while one was left aboard to help stabilise the small vessel while under tow. Kioloa 20 took the vessel in tow, encountering Ulladulla 30 at 0910 steaming south. The 1.5 metre nor-easterly swell and rising winds made for a bumpy ride home. Ulladulla 30 escorted the tow back to O’Hara Head and Kioloa 20 rafted the disabled vessel onto the beach without incident, logging off at 0953.
On a salutary note, two police officers at the ramp met the returning fishermen with a list of safety related questions relating to radio, lifejackets and overloading. The fishermen were fortunate their flares were spotted on this remote section of coast, given the northerly wind, strong south setting current and small size of their vessel.
The vessel, a 3.9 metre punt-nosed runabout with 3 on board was experiencing electrical problems and failing to start. Two of the fisherman were transferred to Kioloa 20 while one was left aboard to help stabilise the small vessel while under tow. Kioloa 20 took the vessel in tow, encountering Ulladulla 30 at 0910 steaming south. The 1.5 metre nor-easterly swell and rising winds made for a bumpy ride home. Ulladulla 30 escorted the tow back to O’Hara Head and Kioloa 20 rafted the disabled vessel onto the beach without incident, logging off at 0953.
On a salutary note, two police officers at the ramp met the returning fishermen with a list of safety related questions relating to radio, lifejackets and overloading. The fishermen were fortunate their flares were spotted on this remote section of coast, given the northerly wind, strong south setting current and small size of their vessel.
Kioloa crew Steve Morris keeps watch on the tow while "Ulladulla 30" shadows "Kioloa 20" to seaward.
