Full 52 pages Edition (10mb) - The Bush Telegraph Weekly

our waterways
VOLUNTEER MARINE
RESCUE NSW
Hawkesbury Unit
Tel: 9985 9012
Our Function - Safety of life on the
Hawkesbury River – Skippers requiring
assistance should call Marine Rescue
Hawkesbury on VHF 16 or 27.88 or
Tel: 9985 9012
Besides normalsearch and rescue,Marine
Rescue Hawkesbury operate (in conjunction
with the NSW Ambulance Service) 2 Water
Ambulanceson the lower Hawkesbury
River,Volunteers from Marine Rescue
Hawkesbury also supply the safetynet for a
number of major aquatic events including
both Bridge to Bridge races
Marine Rescue Hawkesbury is a Community
Based organisation and is an accredited
member of the Hornsby/Kuring-Gai
Emergency Management Committee.
Members Wanted - for Radio and/or Boat
Crew – no experience needed we will supply
training and uniforms for further information
ring 9985 9012 at any time.
Funding - while Marine Rescue Hawkesbury
does receive limited Government funding
most of our costs are covered by donations
and fundraising events. Donations are tax
deductable and may be sent to Volunteer
Marine Rescue Hawkesbury PO Box 189,
Berowra Heights NSW 2082.
Prospective sponsors are welcome to give us
a call on 9985 9012
FOR YOUR
BOATING SAFETY
TOP 10 CHECK LIST
for Boating Safety from
Marine Rescue NSW
1. Tell your local Marine Rescue radio base when
you go out and when you’ll be back. Log On with
your marine radio so Marine Rescue knows you’re
out there and when you’re due back.
2. Wear your lifejackets. Lifejackets save lives –
but only when you wear them. NSW regulations
require you to wear lifejackets at certain times.
Marine Rescue NSW recommends you wear them
at all times when boating.
3. Travel at a safe speed and keep a good look out.
A safe speed is one where you can stop fast
in an emergency. A good look out means the
skipper is always aware of conditions around the
boat.
4. Check your mechanicals and electricals before
you go. More breakdowns are caused by
mechanical and electric faults than any other
cause.
5. Check your safety equipment before you go.
Lifejackets; marine radio; anchor and chain or line
(attached to the boat!); emergency flares; EPIRB
if going out 2 nautical miles or more; bailing
bucket; fire bucket; fire extinguisher; navigation
lights, orange V-sheet; waterproof torch. These
are all mandatory and smart skippers will also
have First Aid and Tool Kits on board.
6. Make sure your fuel is fresh. Old fuel causes
serious problems that can leave you stranded at
sea. The Boat Owners Association says bio fuels
are also causing some concern.
7. Call your local Marine Rescue radio base for a
radio check. The Marine Rescue operator will tell
you if your radio signal is strong and clear – or if
it’s not, so you can fix it before you need it.
8. Check the weather forecast before you go. Go to
www.bom.gov.au first. Then listen for weather
updates on your marine radio or call your local
Marine Rescue base for the latest information.
9. Know your position. If you break down out there
or any other emergency strikes, we need to know
where you are to come and help.
10. Take extreme care crossing bars. If you’ve never
crossed the bar you want to cross, do not
attempt it
without getting local advice.
Then prepare and plan your crossing.
If in doubt, don’t go out.
33.