Activation 01/04/2023: VMR 2 assist member broken down near Saddleback Island.
At 10.38 Ken calls on my mobile from VMR1, and says that he knows I am not on call, but can I do an activation to assist a member who needs a tow into Dingo Beach before the tide gets too low. I will have to use Whale Song VMR2 as it has shallow water capabilities.
“Sure thing, get Elaine in the Radio Room to organize crew and I will head down and begin our prestart preparations.” This was going to need a quick response because the boat ramp in question dries out at low tide over extensive mudflats with an unmarked channel as access.
With myself and trainee Brie aboard we headed to the stated position just South of Saddleback Island and easily located our target, a 7.5 metre plate aluminium fishing boat with 2 POB.
Discussion with their skipper while we did the necessary paperwork, [he uses the ramp in question regularly] came up with a negative for his preferred destination, so we set our sights on a longer tow back to Coral Sea Marina.
He would find a way to retrieve his vehicle and trailer, then lift out at Coral Sea, then tow back home to Hydeaway Bay. This was going to be a very long day for him and his partner, lucky he was a member and the tow was free, or it could have been a lot worse.
The tow back to Airlie was slow, with a building North-Easterly breeze and swell, but an excellent chance for Brie to increase her driving skills while towing.
We had no dramas with gliding our unpowered tow gently alongside the pontoon beside the ramp, then held off before refueling as the Parks and Wildlife vessel got to the pump first, smiles and waves all round. We were hosed down, paperwork done and ready for our next callout by 15.30
The owner of our assisted vessel was a little perplexed though, he has a mechanical background, a full tank of fuel, clean filters and a brand new outboard with just 6 hours on it, and as he said, it just spluttered and died, completely. His nearest Service agent is in Townsville.
Thanks to Brie for an excellent effort.
Until next time, your skipper, Ron.
Crew: Brie S.
Skipper: Ron R.
Activation 1/4/2023: Break down tow from near Mandalay Point.
After a very busy day at the Bowen SAR exercise. Donna on comms received a call from our radio officer Dick F, at approximately 14:45. There was a vessel broken down near Mandalay Point needing a tow.
With Sten on the helm, VMR1 was enroute to Coral Sea Marina, making an alteration to our course, we were soon alongside the stricken vessel. Conditions in the bay were not conducive to rafting up, so our tow line was passed over and we were on our way.
We shortened the tow for the entry into the harbour. Interesting entering CSM at the lateral marks, a Securité was announced on channel 16. We had a power cat just ahead of us, plus a small power vessel, both heading in. Then a sailing cat emerged from within CSM. This was a commercial vessel.
I then gave 5 blasts on VMR1’s horn. The cat exiting CSM immediately went astern to give room. The power cat ahead of VMR1 moved to the starboard and stopped, then had second thoughts and powered rapidly out of our way. Thank you for that. The small power vessel just continued ahead towards the public ramp.
On entering the marina my crew brought our tow alongside VMR1 at 15:30. We were to drop our stricken vessel at the public ramp.
There was a small power cat experiencing difficulties loading their vessel on to their trailer. We waited patiently for them to clear the dock, when I looked astern to see the Hayman ferry round the breakwater heading for exactly where VMR1 was positioned. There were vessels of all sizes milling around in the pond.
Another three blasts on our horn and VMR1 was going astern with our target vessel alongside. We moved well clear of all this action. The Hayman ferry docked, leaving more space for manoeuvring.
It was now our turn to approach the boat ramp. With my crew working overtime to release the stricken vessel, we were now able to move away and seek permission to refuel. We had been milling around for 20 minutes.
Thank you to all the crew, we had a very busy, long day.
Crew: Assisting Skippers: Paul M, Shane N, Senior Crew: James R, Comms: Donna D, Deck Crew: Sten P. Skipper: Ken B.
Activation 4/04/2023: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
The VMR 24/7 emergency phone rang at 0526 this morning with QAS on the line asking if we were available to complete a medivac from Hamilton Island. So, as I was now awake I decided to go myself. I then called two crew members Mike and Craig to meet me at Coral Sea Marina VMR1.
With low winds and a cloudy sky we departed at 0605 with Mike on the helm for a comfortable ride over to Hamilton Island. We berthed, had a 5 minute turnaround with 2 walk on passengers then headed back to Coral Sea Marina with Craig on the helm. We then proceeded to unload the patient, partner and QAS officer before refuelling and returning to VMR1‘s berth and finishing at 0830.
My thanks to Mike and Craig who were eager to head home for some breakfast.
Crew: Mike D, Craig B.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation Report 6/4/2023: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
Heading out into a balmy moon drenched night at 2100, we felt like the luckiest people alive. A magical incident free cruise over to Hamilton Island followed, with paramedic, to pick up a casualty, who maybe wouldn’t feel quite so lucky tonight.
Our brand new, yellow ultra bright flashing light has been attracting a lot of attention, as hoped, with vessels deliberately veering away. So it was that a ferry coming out of Daydream gave us a polite call acknowledging our presence.
After entering the marina I was surprised not to be able to see the green light on the turning pylon, nor even the pylon against the forest of pylons behind it. A sudden pause in progress, a quick check of the radar and feedback from our trusty senior crew James, saw the green light gradually blink out from behind the bent triangular shape in front of it. So all was good as we taxied into our usual berth to pick up our walk on patient.
Our trip home was equally uneventful with James at the helm, good job! After refuelling, we were tied up in our home berth by 2330.
Thankyou for great work from James, Brie and Aviars, also our QAS paramedic.
Crew: James R, Brie S, Aivars P.
Skipper: Shane N.
Activation 9/4/2023: 6.2m cruiser broken down
It was Friday morning 10:45, when my emergency phone was ringing.
Rene T, one of our new radio operators was advising that a 6.2 metre cruiser was broken down. There were 4 adults and 2 children on board.
I was on board Coral Sea Marina VMR1, doing maintenance and was ready to do a test run. Perfect timing Rene, please gather a crew for me.
With Michel onboard organising the crew we set off for Funnel Bay at 11:25. As per normal the target vessel was not at the location reported. A new suggestion was Pioneer Point.
Okay, off we go, passing other vessels along the way I noticed someone waving. Let’s have a look at that vessel. This was indeed our target vessel. They apparently had a flat battery, so we tried to jumpstart it. This did not work, so my crew set up the tow line and we headed for Whisper Bay boat ramp.
12:55, our target was safely moored at the ramp. 13:15, VMR1 was back in her pen.
Another call from our radio base. This was Jonny G, with a prop wrap near South Molle, on a Lee shore.
To be continued.
Thankyou to all involved.
Crew: Michel A (Senior Crew), Phil H (Comms), Aivars P.
Skipper: Ken B.
Activations 7/4/2023: Prop Wraps x 2 – continues a busy Good Friday for VMR Whitsunday.
Just as we were completing an earlier activation, I received a call from Jonny at the VMR radio base, regarding a prop wrap. With the vessel on a Lee shore, the crew decided to respond immediately. Rob, our rescue diver was not far away, so we picked him up at the public dock.
13:40, Coral Sea Marina VMR1 was on the way in blustery conditions, heading for the southern end of South Molle.
On arrival we found the 13 metre flybridge cruiser, securely moored by her propellor. The vessel was facing a Lee shore, not many metres away, in the windy conditions. Grandparents and Grandchildren were very happy to see us!
Rob very quickly assessed the situation. Michel and Phil used our tender to complete all the necessary paperwork. Aivars received a call from Jonny at the VMR radio base, with another prop wrap in Hook Passage.
14:52, with the cruiser now moored by her bow we departed for the next prop wrap. Everyone on the cruiser was thanking us for coming to their rescue on Good Friday.
Now heading for Hook passage to rescue a 45 foot sailing vessel.
Apparently it had moored on the eastern side of the passage. Managed to wrap the mooring line around the prop. Then they cut the mooring line free, only to find they were now drifting, with the mooring tackle firmly attached to their propellor. With some assistance they managed to reach a new mooring on the western side of the passage.
When we arrived, “The Parks” runabout was alongside having a chat.
Rob was once again in the water to assess the situation while Michel and Phil completed the paperwork. The owner was extremely happy that we responded on Good Friday. It was to be their wedding anniversary the next day.
Rob freed the prop wrap, my crew loaded the mooring tackle on to our tender and we were soon heading for Coral Sea Marina. Parks had asked if we could retrieve the mooring tackle for them. This we left on their dock at CSM.
17:20, VMR1 washed down, all paper work complete. We headed for home. Thank you to my Crew. Learning all the time.
Crew: Michel A, Aivars P, Phil H.
Skipper: Ken B.
Activation 09/04/2023: Assist grounded vessel.
At 0540 this morning the 24/7 emergency phone rang with a member advising me that he was beached high and dry at the bottom of Shaw Island. He gave me some coordinates, but upon checking it they were no where near Shaw Island. So a fresh set of coordinates and a screen shot that showed he was in a little bay near Platypus Rock.
They had camped for the night with a stern anchor and a line ashore but during the night the stern anchor failed, so the boat was blown ashore. With a higher tide last night compared to midday, I knew that the vessel would not be floating when we got there.
I informed the radio base when they opened and later called in with all the details and we organised a crew. At 0900 we departed in Coral Sea Marina VMR1 on a perfect day with a crew of Shane, Michel, Donna and Mike. We arrived at the scene at 1047 to find this black line running across the mouth of the bay which I thought was a reef. So I anchored up and we launched our tender with Shane and Donna aboard with a boat hook to check the depth between us and the beach.
I called the stricken vessel and he said it was only seagrass so when our tender made it ashore and a call from them informed us that we had at least 2 metres of depth, I inched in close and then got the tender to lead me in to a position where we could attach a tow rope. With the tow rope at a 45 degree angle to the boat I took up the slack and unbelievably the power and torque of our vessel at idle speed slowly pulled it into the water.
Our tender crew helped them load their camping gear on board. Then both vessels met us out in deep water to load our tender and complete the paper work before returning to Coral Sea Marina.
A beautiful day out on the water made even better by a very efficient crew.
Crew: Shane N, Michel A, Donna D and Mike D.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 9/4/2023: 32’ cruiser with broken down engine, drifting between Daydream and North Molle, 4 pob.
Ken called at 15.45, a non-member in a 32’ Mustang had lost one of his engines and was drifting in the Molle Channel. When I got to Coral Sea Marina VMR1 the crew were already getting the boat ready for sea, and Shane got us away at 16.15.
We found our target 20 mins later a little north of their stated position because of the light SE wind and ebbing tide. Yes, our target had lost the use of one of their engines but also lost their steering which compounded their problems a little.
Nice flat seas so the paperwork was done quickly, and we had an easy hook up. We were off to Port of Airlie Marina. We slowed at the entrance to the channel to shorten the tow then Shane manoeuvred our target into their pen at 17.35.
After returning to CSM and back to the pen for a quick wash down and off home for dinner. Thanks to Cap’t Shane and our efficient crew for a pleasant couple of hours on the water.
Crew: Shane N, Dick F, Phil H.
Skipper: Geoff S.
Activation report 10/04/2023: Asssist member with flat battery at Nara Inlet.
I handed over watch to the radio room at 0700 and at 0720 Rene calls me to advise me that a member has a flat battery in Refuge Bay in Nara Inlet. So I ask Rene to organise a crew to meet me at Coral Sea Marina VMR1, we departed at 0755 with Terry at the helm into a postcard day.
When we came into Nara Inlet we could see our target with another vessel beside it, so by the time we arrived at the scene the other vessel had given it a jump start but we rafted up beside it to have a chat and complete the paper work. It was decided that we will follow the vessel back to Coral Sea Marina.
We were several hundred metres behind the vessel after we departed the entrance of Nara Inlet when a jet ski pulled it over. So we slowed down then the jet ski came over and flagged us down, it was an MSQ (Marine Safety Queensland) officer on a jet ski checking vessels for compliance. He said that they were travelling up the coast checking on vessels in the area. See Photo
We continued on our way with Dick on the helm to CSM, where we fuelled up before berthing.
A beautiful way to spend the morning and thanks to my Crew: of Michel A, Terry C and Dick F.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 10/4/2023: Assist a 25ft Bertram, 3 pob, broken down near Butterfly Bay at the northern end of Hook Island.
I was enjoying an absolutely gorgeous day relaxing at home, here in the Whitsundays, when the Help ringtone went off before 1100 – it was Rene at the base after a skipper to assist a 25ft Bertram broken down at the northern end of Hook Island – how could I say no!
Very light winds, flat and glassy sea, hardly a cloud in the sky, and on the way in I could see lots of boat trailers at all of the ramps, it looked like every man and his dog were on the water, and who could blame them! This was our second activation for the day, and Michel and Dick made it a double header for themselves, and were joined by Donna.
By 1130 Coral Sea Marina VMR1 was on its way on a pretty straightforward piece of navigation once we had confirmed the coordinates, and by 1210 we had managed to dodge all the other boats and were alongside our target. Less than 10 minutes later, paperwork was all done and we had passed over the hook for the tow, they got their anchor up without any problem (their problem sounded like it was the starter motor) and we were under way.
It was a pretty heavy boat so we kept it down to a reasonable 8-9 knots back across to Coral Sea Marina, and after taking them alongside off the entrance we put them safely on the public ramp jetty at 1425 before refuelling and going back to our own berth for the inevitable paperwork, washdown and shut down. All done and on our way home for a late lunch at 1500.
Nice work by Michel, Donna and Dick again.
Crew: Michel A, Donna D, Dick F
Skipper: Mal P
Activation 11/04/2023: Medivac from Hamilton Island
After a big working day, leftovers in the microwave heating up for dinner, ceiling fan on and a good book ready, 18.00, and the phone rings.
Tonight just got better, 24hr emergency phone holder, Bill, on the line, ‘can you do a medivac from Hamilton Island, meet the paramedic at VMR1 at 19.00?’
Fantastic, that leaves me time to have dinner first, then help someone as well.
A light Northerly breeze on the bottom of the tide was at Coral Sea Marina waiting to greet me, along with Michel and Ross so we set about doing the boat preparation.
Once we had our paramedic aboard, the trip to Hammo was a star-gazing evening with no moon and very clear air. A beautiful evening on the water.
It was our usual uneventful trip to pick up our patient and her 2 carers, with a quick turnaround at Hamilton Harbour and an equally peaceful return journey to put our charges ashore for the next leg of their journey to Proserpine Hospital. Fare well, and a rapid recovery to you.
Then it was the ritual of re-fuel, return to berth, wash-down and paperwork before we had VMR1 ready for her next activation.
The crew headed home around 22.30.
Thank you again for you time and efforts gentlemen –
Crew: Michel D, Ross V.
Until next time, your Skipper, Ron.
14 & 15/4/2023: Search and Rescue – Creal Reef/Southhampton Reef.
I (Ken) had a call from our VMR President Paul, regarding a search for three missing persons near Creal Reef.
The Police SAR had requested details on how many teams we could muster and how soon would we be operational.
I was tasked with crew selection, taking into account OH&S for what would certainly be a very intensive search. It was decided that 7 to 8 crew members would be suitable.
Paul advised the Police, that we would be available for departure by 10:30 Friday morning. Also, that we would need fuel bunkering to enable VMR1 to cover the search area. Paul received an immediate reply to go ahead.
I tasked Michel with providing all the food necessary for this deployment. Including an esky please. James was tasked to gather additional drinking water and supplies. Paul, Donna and I gathered all the fuel drums we could find as backup diesel supplies, for our 105nm first leg of the SAR.
We were to assemble at VMR1 at 10:30 14/04/23. With everyone on board, we headed to the Coral Sea Marina fuel dock, to top up our fuel tanks and the ten additional drums we had sourced. 10:50, we departed for Creal Reef / Southampton reef.
We experienced wind against tide conditions as the wind continued to increase. Comfort on VMR1 was certainly lacking at this time.
To make matters worse, some of our soup supplies broke free and spread across the forward cabin sole. The clean-up was taken care of by our new Coxswain, Stefanie. I assisted by sliding around the cabin sole on my backside as I stowed the remainder of the soup.
The crew remained in their seats as much as possible for the remainder of the trip.
16:50 saw VMR1 arrive on station ready to commence searching.
As the Police had not yet arrived, we contacted VMR Mackay who were also on station for information. We were informed that they were looking for a place to anchor for the night. A night search was not going to happen.
So, we set about selecting a place to anchor on the edge of the reef. With VMR 1 secure as one can be on very light ground tackle, the night crew were given their time slots. These were to be three hours per team.
The evening meal was prepared in our microwave. Not too bad.
Fortunately the conditions had moderated into a beautiful evening. The stars were amazing, which kept the crew busy until it was time for sleep.
The search aircraft was continuously passing low overhead as it continued its search pattern. The Damien Leeding Police vessel was to join us in the morning at 06:00 to commence searching.
Having shut everything down, except for the anchor light and a Samsung tablet, with Navionics on it for position security, VMR1 was in battery saver mode.
Saturday 15/4/23 at 05:00 I cranked up the 240volt generator. Breakfast was on its way. Donna, voted best coffee maker, prepared the brew. James prepared Cornflakes, in your coffee mug.
All electronic systems were now in operation ready for the day.
07:30, VMR1 was briefed by Delta 1. Our search pattern covered 9 different waypoints.
VMR Burdekin was tasked to provide bunkering for all vessels. This was a very good operation to see. They had a huge rectangular poly-tank with electric pump, for diesel. Six, 220 litre drums, for petrol.
It was decided that VMR1 would set up its SAR pattern and the other VMR vessels would join us. This was delayed as VMR Mackay was unable to retrieve their anchor.
VMR1 was to deploy their tender to search extremely shallow sections of the reef. This task was given to Coxswains, James and Stefanie.
Meanwhile VMR1 continued to search the waypoints given to them.
VMR1 recovered the tender and crew before joining the Police “line abreast search”.
Paul was on the helm finding his way through the very tricky unchartered reef sections, which never seemed to have an end.
Having the tender and crew onboard, we joined the line search. After many hours of searching, we were all asked by the Police vessel if we were going to be on station for tomorrow (Sunday). It was decided that VMR1 had to return to its base as both of our teams were due for replacement.
14:30 we departed for Coral sea Marina. Conditions were very favourable.
Fuel calculations were checked, as we were going to be passing Hamilton island, the last fuel for the trip. We were going to arrive home with 110 litres in each tank according to calculations. We arrived home with 90 and 100 litres. Happy not to be paying the fuel bill, we headed to our pen for a wash down and clean up.
Everyone on board gathered their belongings and we headed for home at 20:45.
This search was without doubt the greatest experience for our crew. This will pay dividends in the future. To say nothing of the team building and comradery.
Senior Crew: Paul M, Michel D, James R.
Comms: Dick F.
Crew: Donna D, Stefanie P.
Skipper: Ken B.
Activation 14/04/2023: Imagine…what could happen…
A normal day in your local waters area. 10knots of breeze and a 3.5 meter tide range. A beautiful day to be out on the water on your jet-ski. There is a huge passenger liner anchored just off shore and vessels all over the place, so you are out there, and loving it.
Now, the sun is starting to set over the hills to the west, beautiful, but time to head for home….Why did the motor just stop?
…Why won’t it start? Oh well, I’ll just call a mate on the phone.
…How come the phone reception is so scratchy out here, must be a bad connection.
Okay, I think I got through, but not sure. Anyway he will probably get out here…Oh, where am I actually? Where is here!
Let’s see, I’m sort of between the cruise ship and I think I recognize that point over there, maybe… How far off the shore am I?, it’s hard to tell since it is starting to get dark.
Oh, does this Jet-ski have any lights. Uh-oh, the motor won’t start, maybe it is a battery problem.
I’ll keep calm and phone the local VMR, they rescue people all the time. “Yes hello, this is my name and phone number, my jet-ski is broken out here, I have no lights except on my phone, I don’t know where I am and my phone is running out of battery. I think I am between this point and the cruise ship. Come and get me please?”
So, VMR rapidly assemble a crew of local volunteers, who rush to their second vessel as their primary search vessel is on an extended search for a missing fisherman a long way away.
The need for rapid response is great, because as darkness sets in, a dark jet-ski on a slightly bouncy sea will be hard to spot, especially when you don’t have a starting point.
So then, while the rescue team is heading rapidly to a possible point of contact, we make phone contact with the lost and broken vessel and its crew member.
“It’s okay, my mate is just launching his jet-ski from a local ramp and will come out and pick me up. You can go home now, that way I don’t have to pay you guys to rescue me.”
We could reply, “Okay, we will stand down, but wait out here for a little while just in case. What is your current position?”
“I am still between that point and the cruise ship!”
Response from us. ”Sir, that cruise ship has raised its anchor and been motoring North at around 15knots for the last 20 minutes or so”
Imagine then that you hear nothing further. All our calls go to his message bank. Nothing heard!
So, imagine then that the VMR crew spend another hour randomly searching in the dark for a dark jet-ski, stopping passing vessels and checking for sightings while not actually having any real information as to where to begin or end the search. Interesting!
Imagine then that VMR base is notified, the search crew are stood down to refuel and prepare the vessel for the next activation and complete the necessary paperwork.
Base then contacts emergency 000, gives them what minimal information we have and outlines our actions so far. The rescue skipper then goes home and starts making copious notes in case this turns very serious.
Imagine that most of this could have been averted if there had been a free app on the guys phone which gave him a GPS position. Or maybe a torch on board, or even a hand-held marine VHF radio.
Just imagine…
Thank you for your time Phil H (Crew).
Until next time, your Skipper: Ron R.
Activation Report VMR2 15/04/2023: Assist a 7m vessel broken down on the eastern side of Hook Island, 3 pob.
Sandy at the radio base called me after 4pm on Saturday afternoon, a 7m vessel with 3 pob had broken down on the eastern side of Hook Island and was requesting assistance back to Coral Sea Marina. Coral Sea Marina VMR1 was on the way back from a search for a missing fisherman near Creal Reef, about 100 miles away. It had even stayed the night at the reef so they could resume the search early in the morning. That meant our vessel of choice was going to be Whale Song VMR2, by default. I asked Sandy to see if she could get any coordinates to give us a better idea of where our target was (Hook is about 6 miles long), and she soon texted the details (thanks Sandy) – it looked like Mackerel Bay, at the north-eastern end – as long as the coordinates were correct.
Shane and Phil had started the prestart checks by the time I got to VMR2, and we were underway around 1645 into a 15-20 knot easterly – might be a bit bouncy on the way across, and it may mean our target was on lee shore. We’ll soon find out. Shane took us across, and yes, it was quite bouncy so we took a slightly better angle into the waves a bit off the rhumb line until we got into the lee of the Island and could head in the right direction.
Was our target where they said they were? Thankfully they came into view as we turned into Mackerel in the rapidly fading light just on 1800, but it was a bit too bouncy to go fully alongside so Phil managed to pass across our tow hook, and we took the strain while they raised their anchor, and we were under way at 1810. It was a very heavy 7 metre plate boat, so the chances of VMR2 getting them on the plane were very slim, so it was going to be a slow trip back at about 7 knots. 3 ½ hours later, at 2140, we dropped them off at the Coral Sea Marina boat ramp before refuelling, putting VMR2 back onto its dock, cleaning her and completing the paperwork. We were all done and on our way home for a long overdue dinner at 2215.
Thanks Shane and Phil, good job as usual.
Crew: Shane N, Phil H.
Skipper: Mal P.
Activation 26/04/2023: Stormy crossing to Hamilton Island to Medivac a sick child.
At 12.48 I received a call from the 24/7 emergency phone holder Michael, who said that we were required for a medivac from Hamilton Island. I asked him to organise a crew while I headed to Coral Sea Marina VMR1 to prepare it.
With Donna on the helm and Phil on lines we departed Coral Sea Marina at 1235 expecting rough weather and rain. As we crossed the Molle Passage we were surprise to find the seas reasonable flat and were able to maintain 20 – 23 Knots of speed, but soon got hit by heavy rain, although it had cleared by the time we entered Hamilton Island.
A quick turn around to pick up a 3 year old boy and his dad and then a good clear run home to CSM. After we unloaded our patient we refuelled and went back to our berth to complete our shut down process by 1610.
Thanks to Donna and Phil.
Crew: Donna D, Phil H.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 29/4/2023: 4.5m tinny, out of fuel, off Mandalay.
The call from the radio room came in at 13.06, a small runabout was out of fuel 2 miles from CSM. Perfect for Whale Song VMR2. I arrived at 13.30 and started to get the boat ready. James arrived 13.45
Shortly after we set off and found our target where he was supposed to be, just after 14.00. We got the paperwork sorted out and after a short tow had the target alongside the CSM finger at 14.40. Soon after, we were on the dock doing the paperwork, just as the rain started. At least we didn’t need to wash down.
Crew: James R
Skipper: Geoff S