newy.com.au – Two Hunter Central Coast Marine Rescue volunteers will join a statewide contingent at Penrith this weekend for a multi-agency test of flood rescue skills.
Daryl Jurd, from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage, and Terrigal volunteer Paul Barrie are among 14 volunteers and staff due to attend the Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge at Penrith Whitewater Stadium on Saturday, September 5.
Seven members of the Marine Rescue NSW contingent will compete across three teams, while another seven will support the crews and take part in professional development.
Barrie will crew an inflatable rescue boat alongside Marine Rescue Hawkesbury’s Guy Burge and Botany Port Hacking volunteer Ursula Stroh. Jurd is part of the broader delegation, which includes representatives from 10 units across the Hunter Central Coast, Northern Rivers, Greater Sydney, Illawarra and South Coast.
The challenge will put crews through simulated rescues covering patient care, boat handling, manoeuvring and recovery techniques. Their performance, effectiveness and attention to detail will be assessed.
While Marine Rescue NSW is best known for responding to emergencies on coastal and inland waterways, members of its State Operations Group are also trained to help during floods and can be deployed across NSW during severe weather.
Marine Rescue NSW capability manager Dave Bowing said the competitive format allowed volunteers to practise those skills in demanding but controlled conditions alongside other emergency services.
“This type of challenge format is a relatively new area for Marine Rescue NSW, but our volunteers are enjoying the challenge of developing and expanding their skill sets,” Mr Bowing said.
“Our crews will compete against some incredibly skilled operators this weekend who are extremely experienced in flood rescue and recovery and regularly use IRBs.”
Other competitors will travel from Point Danger in the Northern Rivers, Middle Harbour and Broken Bay in Sydney, and Sussex Inlet on the South Coast. One Marine Rescue volunteer will also work as the land-based operator in a multi-agency team during an in-water rescue exercise.
