Volunteer Sea Rescue Groups
I spent 2 weeks at Rottnest around Christmas and had the 27 meg radio on whenever I was out fishing. I heard 7 seperate calls for assistance made to Volunteer Sea Resuce from people who had broken down, run out of fuel or other similar problems. Of these seven callers, only two were members of a Sea Rescue organisation. The other 5 knew the call signs to use to ask for help but were only able to give a Dep. of Transport rego number to identify themselves as they were not members.
Membership costs $35 per year which is not much to pay for your safety. I bet the guys drifting around Gage Roads in rising swell without power would happily have paid their subscription at that time.
Come on boaties - the sea rescue groups are volunteers and underfunded by the government which is why they conduct raffles in shopping centres to raise needed funds to save other peoples lives. Pay your way.
Frank
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Good Call
Good call Frank. I am one that certainly should sign up for volunteer rescue, especially now having done my boatsmart course and the amount of previous dramas my vessel has had. I was trying to weigh up weather it was worth joining sea-tow or just go with the standard sea-rescue.
Don't suppose they have a sign-up form that you can fill in over the net, or express your interest so they can send one out?
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Big Frank
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 07/02/06
Sea Rescue
Adam - you can join up with Freo Search and Rescue on the net - I imagine the other S & R groups have a similar facility.
I use the volunteer groups because they are exactly that - volunteers helping out other people and not looking to make a quid from it. They also have 3 boats - one at Rottnest, 1 at Fremantle and one looking after the river and I think their response time is first rate. Certainly provides peace of mind.
I think Sea Tow will provide assistance even if you are not a member but require you to sign up on the spot.
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Rescue
Don't suppose you know the website Frank? I keep searching but come up with all sorts of webpages, but none related.
They certainly do an excellent job! I think its about time I did now that my tub is almost ocean worthy again.
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Big Frank
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 07/02/06
Web address
Adam - try www.freosearescue.org.au
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Excellent
Thanks for that Frank.. Will join up and put that in my links directory. Cheers.
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