Activation 2/10/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island
Straightforward medivac from Hamilton on a very dark night but with light winds, and pretty easy going. At least they waited until after the footy finished! A walk on patient with a head wound requiring stitching at the hospital, plus 2 mates.
Good job by Shane and Barry, as expected.
Crew: Shane N. and Barry L.
Skipper: Mal P.
Activation 4/10/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island
Bit more light from the moon than a couple of nights ago, but with a bit more wind at 19-22 knots, but a better than expected sea on the ebb tide. The new paramedic liked the boat for her first trip.
Good learning process for Brie and Avi, James on the ball as usual.
Start 2205, finish 0045.
Crew: James R, Brie S, Avi F
Skipper: Mal P
Activation 06/10/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island
The 24/7 phone call came at 1235 for another routine medivac to Hamilton Island and with Shane on the helm we departed Coral Sea Marina at 0115 with cloudy skies but no rain.
We came, We saw, We conquered and were back in our berth at CSM refuelled and washed down at 0415.
Thanks to crew.
Crew: Shane N, Michel A and Phil H
Skipper: Ray L
Activation 7/10/22: Friday night Medivac.
Bill called early for a medivac from Hamilton Island that was scheduled for 19:00. I was already on Coral Sea Marina VMR1 installing new struts to Port engine bay. There was enough time to go home cook some lamb chops and not be late for this activation.
18:45, I was onboard with James, Dick and Barry. All the pre-starts complete, we were just waiting on the paramedic. Dick was in the car park ready to assist the paramedic. 19:00 the allotted time for the medivac, so I called Bill who then checked with Rockhampton. The paramedics were changing shift, so that was the delay.
19:35 We set off for Hamilton island in great conditions. James was on the helm. We arrived at 20:35 to our normal berth. The patient arrived on a stretcher and was transferred to VMR 1. 20:55 we departed with a following sea heading for Coral Sea Marina.
21:55 we were docked. Barry was assisting the paramedic and Patient,
Dick was completing the paper work and communications, while we were refuelling. 22:25 VMR 1 was back in her pen for shut down.
Well done by all.
Senior Crew: James R
Comms: Dick F
Crew: Barry L
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 8/10/2022: Medivac Saturday night / Sunday morning
22:34 My emergency phone was ringing. It was Bill, one of our dedicated 24 hour phone holders. We have a medivac from Hamilton Island 23:20. The patient was arriving on Hamilton island and we were to rendezvous 00:30.
Bill organized my crew, while I headed for Coral Sea Marina VMR1 to commence the startup procedures. I met Avi, the first crew member to arrive at the dock entrance. Everyone was onboard in a short time. All checks completed and waiting on the Paramedics.
23:32 in perfect conditions we departed Coral Sea Marina with Marti on the helm. It was good to see Marti back on the helm after having been away for some time. 11 to 13 knot Easterly was the forecast. This was hardly discernable. A dream run on flat seas all the way to Hamilton Island. 00:35 Marti docked in a rather tight spot ably assisted by good crew work.
00:43 the patient arrived on a stretcher in a great deal of pain. The Paramedics were working to alleviate this.
We made a fast run back to Coral Sea Marina arriving at 01:39, nearing low tide. Avi was dispatched to assist the two Paramedics to push the stretcher up the steep ramp. Meanwhile, VMR 1 was moved to the fuel dock to refuel. By 02:10 we were all heading for home.
Thank you to the Crew, constant training pays off.
Crew: Marti D (Senior Crew), Brie S (Comms), Ross V and Avi F (Deck Crew).
Skipper: Ken B.
Activation 13/10/2022: Tow 6m runabout.
Phone holder Bill rang as I was thinking about lunch – a 6m runabout with 2 pob had broken down and requested assistance to get back to Coral Sea Marina from near Mandalay. I was soon on my way for a job tailor-made for Whale Song VMR2. My crew of Donna and Debbie arrived soon after I reached the boat, and we were underway at 1225.
It wasn’t long before we found our target, pretty close to the coordinates he had given, as his trolling motor held him in position. From Sydney, he and his son had been here a week and been fishing before, but not today. We were soon on our way back to CSM, and had him on the public ramp. By 1325 we had VMR2 back on the dock, washed and shutdown, ready to go again. He is here for another 3 weeks and will be joining VMR – albeit a bit late for the first tow.
Thanks, Donna and Debbie, nice job, ladies.
Crew: Donna D. and Debbie S.
Skipper: Mal P.
Editors Note: VMRW membership is cheap insurance at just $80. You can join online at https://vmrwhitsundays.com.au/join/ and your membership helps to keep us going in case you need us. We hope you don’t, but we are here 24/7/365 if you do!
Activation 16/10/2022: Police activation – fears that someone was missing.
It was late on Sunday afternoon when Bill on the 24/7 emergency phone called to say we had a police activation as a jet ski had been tied to a mooring at Cockatoo Pt, Stonehaven bay all afternoon and there were fears that someone was missing.
With a crew of Shane at helm, Debbie and Dick on deck, Coral Sea Marina VMR1 departed at 1750 and headed out into a calm sea. As we got about 5 nautical miles out from the marina we received a call to advise that someone in a large boat had left their jet ski tied to the mooring all afternoon, and had just retrieved it so we were stood down.
Back in the marina and finished by 1840, thanks to crew.
Crew: Shane N, Debbie S and Dick F.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 17/10/2022: Tow member from Cataran Bay
I received a late morning call from Bill on the 24/7 emergency phone. He had received a call from Whitsunday VTS that a member was broken down at Cataran Bay on Border Island and required a tow back to Coral Sea Marina. We departed CSM on Coral Sea Marina VMR1 at 1100 with Debbie doing 99% of the helm work for the job.
With low winds and perfect conditions for the trip, we noticed that there were only a few yachts taking advantage of a lovely day before we arrived at Border Island at 1205. We hitched up and completed the paperwork before towing the 25ft motorboat back to CSM at 16 knots and were back home and fuelled up by 1420.
Thanks to Crew of Debbie S, Dick F and Avi F.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 17-18/10/2022: Hamilton Island Medivac
A relaxing evening, some television and a shower, time for bed. Being a world record holder for immediate sleep once the button on the back of my head touches the pillow; I was happily asleep. Distant toning of a horn penetrated my bliss; it was Bill our 24/7 emergency phone holder, telling me of an emergency requiring immediate evacuation from Hamilton Island. Within a few minutes, bleary eyed and barely conscious, a quick splash of cold water seemed to remedy the situation nicely, off to Coral Sea Marina. Upon arriving at the Marina, an ambulance was already parked! Had the paramedic been sleeping here or was this an indication of the urgency of this particular case?
We were joined by the crew, Shane, a Senior crew and Donna who would be responsible for communications and deck work. As checks were completed we departed in Coral Sea Marina VMR1. The night sky glinted with ancient light, the moon had not yet risen, wind from the north east and tide dropping, a lovely night for a quick jaunt! Our transit was uneventful, a little confusion visited as we approached the Hamilton Island marina, not the usual mooring spot, go to the fuel dock. Fortunately one of the onshore paramedics had a torch and was indicating we should proceed to the normal spot on “G” arm.
Our patient arrived with a companion. The patient was not very well and some serious discussions ensued. After a long wait, or so it seemed, we had clearance to depart. Wind and seas were favourable and we made excellent time back to Coral Sea marina. Our charges were on their way to Proserpine hospital in short measure, we refuelled and completed our standard post activation clean up.
My thanks to both Shane and Donna for a very professional job, well done.
Crew: Shane N and Donna D.
Skipper: Paul M.
Activation 23/10/2022: Medivac Hamilton Island, but wait, there’s more….possibly.
Sunday, I (Ken) was on Coral Sea Marina VMR1 with Bruce and Debbie.
Bruce was trying to get our Iridium Go to operate on my phone when the Radio Base was also trying to contact me as I was Duty Skipper.
This was all very confusing, turning off wifi, turning on Airplane mode, turning on wifi. Meanwhile I was dropping in and out of contact.
I spoke briefly with Derek at the Radio Base, confirming that I was onboard and Debbie had volunteered to be crew.
15:15 I had a full crew and paramedic. We set off for Hamilton Island, with Shane on the helm. The sea conditions were not too bad, considering we had a North Easter of 20 to 25 knots.
We docked at Hamilton Island. The patient with heart problems was quickly loaded and we departed at 16:30. The conditions were now rough for the return trip. Shane reduced speed for a more comfortable ride on VMR1.
17:30 we were docked in Coral Sea Marina. Brie assisted the paramedic, with all the equipment.
This was a routine medivac for us, with a twist or two.
While we were underway, Dick our Communication officer on board, was monitoring a radio conversation between VTS and a distressed vessel. We received a relayed message from another vessel, regarding a vessel in Tongue bay. “Nonmember, will pay whatever it costs.” The relaying vessel made two trips by dinghy to get information for us. They were drenched to the skin in the prevailing conditions. I had a call from our Radio Base regarding a vessel in Tongue Bay with a mooring line wrapped around its propellor. Could this be the same vessel?
I contacted Mal to see if he was available to launch Whale Song VMR2 and take a diver to the stricken vessel. Yes, was his answer. Then I receive a call from Bill our 24 hour phone holder, confirming a vessel has a propellor wrap in Tongue Bay. The radio conversation, the call from the Base and the phone call from Bill were all about the same vessel. I was relieved to confirm, that it was only one vessel in distress.
VMR 2 with Mal, crew and a diver were assembling when I received another call to say the stricken vessel has cut the mooring line and does not require further assistance. A quick call to Mal to advise, please stand down. There were a lot of crew and resources involved in this process.
Thank you to my Crew.
Crew: Shane N (Senior Crew Helm), Bill H (Senior Crew Deck), Dick F (Comms), Debbie S and Brie S.
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 24/10/2022: QFES Assist – Boat Fire, Hamilton Island
The first I knew about the boat fire was a mid-afternoon call from ABC Tropical North – were we called out for this one? What boat fire! A quick check on facebook showed an 82 foot Sunseeker well ablaze, apparently from about 10:30 in the morning. A quick call to phone holder Bill confirmed that we had not been called out – but that soon changed and we were asked by QFES to transfer 5 firies and gear to Hamilton so they could relieve and assist the local firefighters who had been on the job since 10:30. Michel, Barry and Dick helped getting the firies and loading their gear onboard, and Coral Sea Marina VMR1 departed at 1625 – a choppy sea and a NNW wind gusting to 30 knots at Hamilton – perfect for firefighting – not! At least it was with us on the outward trip.
On the way across, we could still see smoke even from the middle of the Whitsunday Passage, more than 6 hours after it had started. We had permission to disembark the firies and their gear as close as we dared to get to the burning boat (nearby berths had mostly been cleared), then stood by while they tried to get the fire under control.
Some adjacent boats had been moved, some had smoke and a bit of heat damage, lucky no other vessels suffered the same fate. VMR1 had to be moved a couple of times to get clear of the acrid, thick smoke that was swirling around, with flames rising up to 5 metres in the thick smoke – after 7 hours! We assisted to put another containment boom along an adjacent jetty, and a bit before 8 pm, after the rear of the vessel had gone under, the firies decided that they would have to let the fire still visible in the bow burn itself out, it was not possible to get at it, and most elected to remain on the island. We had stood by to transfer any personnel back to Airlie.
We started back at 8:10pm with 1 firie, a couple of Hamilton staff, and two from a dive and salvage company as passengers. It was pretty rough as we neared Pioneer and we were down to 12-13 knots at times, but VMR1 handled the northerly conditions pretty well, our passengers were impressed. By 2115 we had disembarked our passengers, and Barry took the firies and gear to the fire station while Michel, Dick and I refuelled and took VMR1 back to its berth, about 5 ¼ hours after we set out.
Crew: Michel A, Barry L and Dick F
Skipper: Mal P
Activation 29/10/2022: A dream run for a medivac from Daydream Island.
It was 04:30 Saturday morning when I (Ken) had my dream interrupted by Bill our 24 hour Emergency phone holder.
“We have a medivac from Daydream Island”. While Bill assembled the crew, I made myself a coffee and headed to Coral Sea Marina VMR1. We were to meet the Paramedic at 05:00 .
Michel was already on VMR 1 proceeding with the start-up duties. Bill and I arrived together and we were soon joined by the Paramedic.
05:10 we set off for Daydream with Bill on the helm. What a glorious morning. The sun was just peeping its head up, the sea was flat and there was very little wind.
On arrival at Daydream Island I proceeded to the main dock where our patient and carer were waiting. 05:45 with the patient in obvious discomfort we headed for Coral Sea Marina.
06:15 VMR1 was docked. I was left onboard as everyone was headed to the waiting ambulance. We refuelled, returned to our pen to complete the paper work and headed to breakfast.
That was what I call perfect timing and conditions for a medivac.
Having the luxury of two Senior crew onboard, everything went like clockwork.
All tasks were completed as if on automatic. Thankyou.
Senior Crew: Michel A. and Bill H.
Skipper: Ken B.
Activation 29/10/2022: Break down in Molle Channel
I (Ken) was at the VMR radio base. We were having a meeting at 10:00. Bruce our Radio officer, mentioned in passing that a member had called in to say they had engine problems and were trying to slowly make it Coral Sea Marina.
12:00 Dick had taken over Radio duties from Bruce. The same member called again to say they were not able to proceed and needed our assistance. Dick arranged a crew as I headed to Coral Sea Marina VMR1.
We had an 8.5 metre Bay Liner to rescue in the Molle channel. 12:47 with James, Brie and Katherine on board we headed to the position given by the stricken vessel.
Katherine had the helm in absolute perfect sea conditions. James was assisting Brie with some knot practice. 13:25, we spotted our target exactly where they said they would be.
13:30, paperwork completed, tow connected, we were off to Coral Sea Marina – ” A” arm. VMR1 and a Bay Liner side by side is a tight squeeze. Good crew work makes it easy.
14:09, we had them in their pen and VMR1 headed to refuel. 14:30, we all headed home.
Nice work, always something to learn and improve on.
Senior Crew: James R
Trainee Crew: Brie S & Katherine R
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 30/10/22022: Medivac from Hamilton Island
Bill on the 24/7 emergency phone called about 1730 on Sunday afternoon to advise that we were required for a medivac on Hamilton Island. So I departed to Coral Sea Marina to prepare VMR1 for the activation and was later joined by Dick, Avi and Shane. With the QAS officer on board we departed CSM at 1800 with low winds and a calm sea.
We arrived Hamilton Island and took on board a beautiful little 2 year old girl and her mother. Then we returned to CSM under a very small moon. As the tide was running out it was a quicker trip home to CSM, where we found our little patient fast asleep before we transferred her to the waiting ambulance.
We refuelled and returned to our berth and were finished at 2045, thanks to Shane on helm and Dick and Avi on deck.
Crew: Shane N, Dick F and Arvi F
Skipper: Ray L