Activation 01/11/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
Ray was the volunteer with the 24hr emergency phone this time when it rang to alert me to another activation. A medivac from Hamilton Island at 20.30, why not. I was just changing out of my official uniform after helping deliver a Safety at Sea lecture at Coral Sea Marina, so just a change of shirt and I am on my way.
With Michel and Mike helping we had our pre-departure checks done quickly and with our Paramedic on board Coral Sea Marina VMR1 we were away into a cloudy and lumpy night.
Hamilton Island was busy and a change in our berthing arrangements was needed but we soon had our patient on board and set out on our return journey. This trip was to be very rough, wet and windy as we altered course many times to evade the worst of 3 separate thunderstorms. Brilliant lightning flashes filled the sky and played havoc with our night vision as we slowed the vessel and tried to stop the waves from pounding too hard. Yes, one of those wet and wild nights.
After a slow trip home we got our patient, her carer and the Paramedic ashore and then finishing the refuel and paperwork had VMR1 ready for her next activation by 00.25
Thanks to Ray and the onboard crew of Michel and Mick.
Crew: Michel A. and Mike D.
Skipper: Ron R.
Activation 04/11/2022: Daytime Medivac from Hayman Island.
Well this was different. An activation to Hayman Island and in daylight for a medivac.
Departing in Coral Sea Marina VMR1 at 14.00 with crew of Shane, Terry and trainee Phil plus our paramedic, we were unsure if we could return in time for the start of our regular Thursday training session.
Perfect weather gave us a quick trip over to the resort and our patient was ready on our arrival, although with the need for a smooth return trip our path took us a couple of extra miles, but all was well.
My second daylight return to Coral Sea Marina within a week had our patient and paramedic ashore, re-fuelling done and return to berth by 16.30. We completed our paperwork and handed over to the training team without needing to shut down our engines.
Many thanks to volunteers Shane, Terry, Phil and the team for another job well done.
Crew: Shane N, Terry C, Phil H.
Skipper: Ron R.
Activation 8/11/2022: Tow boat and dory from Hardy Reef.
Monday night the 7th of November, Ray, one of our 24 hour emergency phone holders approached me with a tow for the next day from Hardy Reef.
The crew was assembled and were advised departure time would be 08:00 the next morning. First thing Tuesday morning I was on Coral Sea Marina VMR1 commencing the start-up procedures. The crew were soon onboard and everything was ready for departure.
Now at 07:52 with all onboard, we departed Coral Sea Marina. The wind was a little over 20knots from the South East. High tide was to be at 10:33.
Conditions were rough and would only deteriorate considerably once we passed Hayman Island. I put Barry on the helm for the trip to Hardy Reef.
There was no shipping to be seen, we had the ocean to ourselves.
10:04, I took over as we approached our target vessel which was moored to a very large mooring. The vessels outriggers were already deployed, it also had a dory hanging off the stern. I positioned our starboard forward quarter beside the port stern quarter of our target vessel, while the owner stepped across ably assisted by Ronnie. Michel and Barry organised the towline. Instructions were given to the assisted skipper regarding VHF frequency and our towing procedure.
10:06 we departed for Coral Sea Marina. Within the reef area we kept our tow line nice and short. Just before we entered the open water, our tow line was adjusted to a suitable length. Now, to see how this vessel towed in these conditions. We had not gone far and we could see she was rolling badly. At this stage we were travelling at 6 to 6.5 knots.
A call from the owner, he was going to deploy his stabilisers. I advised him to wait for us to stop, so that there would be a gradual loading on the system. With the stabilisers deployed we set off again. His vessel motion was looking good.
Now travelling at 7 to 7.2 our crew settled in for a long slow trip. I was checking via VHF how things were going. His message came back garbled. He mentioned water ingress. That was alarming. He could obviously hear us, so I asked him for a one word answer to my question “are you sinking – yes or no”, the answer was no. Okay your batteries are low I can tell by your radio transmission. “Can you charge them?” Yes, okay do it.
Along the way we noticed that his starboard stabiliser had come adrift. I immediately called the vessel, so that he could check this. (Radio transmission now 5 by 5). Next, we see him without the life jacket that we had supplied, hanging over the side of the vessel while trying to drag the dislodged stabiliser onboard. I was discussing with Ronnie our “Man Overboard” procedure which was possibly only moments away, when I noticed his dory had parted company. A quick radio call to the vessel to advise what we were about to do to rescue his dory.
It was decided that the easiest way was for me to put VMR1 alongside the drifting dory while maintaining the tow. Ronnie was to step aboard the dory, secure the parted tow line and then start the dory.
All sounds simple! Try it some time, in open rough water, unfamiliar outboard. This is where experience and seamanship rises to the top. I expected nothing less from Ronnie. With a well-trained crew if everyone does their job and sticks to procedures everything goes to plan. It only takes a moments lack of attention and you have an issue.
Ronnie stayed in the dory and joined our target vessel when we slowed near Black Island. We then proceeded to Coral Sea Resort where the owner wished to anchor for the night.
17:00 VMR1 headed to refuel. The owner brought Ronnie to VMR1 in the marina via dory.
Thank you to Michel for the pies for lunch. The entire crew took various positions throughout the journey. Thank you to all – that was a very long day.
Senior Crew: Ronnie R and Michel A
Crew: Barry L
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 9/11/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
I (Ray) received a call from QAS about 8pm last night requesting a medivac from Hamilton Island. As the 24/7 phone holder, I organised a crew before heading to Coral Sea Marina where I found Phil starting on the pre start checks. James, Shane and a QAS officer arrived shortley after and we departed in Coral Sea Marina VMR1 at 2040 with a bright full moon .
We had 26 knots of south east wind against a mid tide, so we knew we were in for a rough ride. We managed 15 knots in the Molle Chanel and then down to 10 knots in the Whitsunday Passage. We arrived at Hamilton Island about 2200, picked up our patient and his partner and returned to CSM in much smoother conditions. After our passengers departed we refuelled, returned to our berth and washed down VMR1 before departing the marina at 2340.
Thanks to the Crew: Shane N and James R for sharing the helm work and Phil H on comms.
Skipper: Ray L.
Activation 19/11/2022: Medivac from Day Dream Island.
Saturday night!!! I almost cannot remember the last time I received a call out on a Friday or Saturday night for a Medivac.
Bill called me (Ken) 19:07 Saturday night. I was just starting to carve the roast. That is what you get for having a late dinner. “Where are we off to Bill?” Day Dream island for a medivac. Fantastic that will not take long.
19:46 with Shane, Phil, Barry and a paramedic onboard we set off for Day Dream. Shane had the helm for the entire voyage. We arrived at 20:20. The sea conditions were rough. 20:40 with the patient and friend on board we departed heading for Coral Sea Marina. The paramedic was medicating the patient en route, not an easy task in these conditions.
21:15 we arrived at CSM where another paramedic was waiting. I was watching the docking procedures, when I spotted Phil throw the mooring line three metres to secure the stern cleat. Amazing! As Phil said, “practice makes perfect”. Phil assisted the paramedics to the waiting ambulance while Shane, Barry and I went to refuel.
We were back in our pen washed down and ready for home by 21:40.
Well done to all the Crew.
Crew: Shane N, Phil H, Barry L
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 20/11/2022: Medivac from Hamilton Island.
I was riding my motor bike and did not hear the Emergency phone call from the base Radio officer. Opps! I will have to sort that out. Sorry Lee. I called Lee back, explained and I was on my way to Coral Sea Marina VMR1.
Shane, Debbie and Barry were already onboard. We were joined by the paramedic and departed at 11:50. The sea conditions were rough, our trip to Hamilton island was negotiated with care arriving at 12:49.
12:50 with two paramedics and patient onboard we departed for Coral Sea Marina. The sea conditions were certainly rough. Our route was to dodge the bigger swells as we tried not to crash into them.
We arrived at CSM 14:07. Barry assisted the paramedics as Shane, Debbie and I headed to refuel. 14:30 we were back in our pen and washed down.
Thankyou everyone.
Senior Crew: Shane N
Crew: Debbie S and Barry L
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 20/11/2022: Busy weekend finishes with two in a row – back to back tow and a medivac.
I came on duty for the night watch at 1800. At 1802, 24/7 phone holder Bill was on the phone, a hire boat with 6 pob had run out of fuel near Swamp Bay and had requested assistance to get back to the marina. In the northerly of 20 knots, and at night, and with 6 persons on the other boat, Coral Sea Marina VMR1 was the weapon of choice, and Bill put a crew together while I made my way in. Michel had already started the checks when I arrived, Shane arrived soon after, and we were underway at 1835 into a brisk NNW wind and a moderate and occasional rough sea.
We had reached our target by 1910, sitting in a very rolly sea on a lee shore – and obviously not all their passengers were enjoying it. Our plan to take some of the passengers off onto VMR1 quickly went out the window due to the conditions, and after asking them to all don lifejackets we got to work. They could not get the hook on the trailer tow point on the bow, it was too far down, so after they moved their anchor line off the bollard on the bow, Shane did a nice throw to get our towline across. We took the strain while they got their anchor up, and began the slow tow into the oncoming waves at only 6-8 knots.
Before we got to Pioneer, Bill was on the phone again – a medivac from Hamilton! We advised him that we were about an hour out in these conditions, and the medivac was set for a 2030 start. Senior Crew Bill was asked if he wanted to join us, and arranged to meet him at the fuel dock when we got in. Once we had turned around Pioneer we were able to tow at a comfortable 10-12 knots, deposited them on the fuel dock at 2030, boarded the paramedic, and were on our way to Hamilton.
Bill was on the helm for this one, and had to keep adjusting speed and angle, looking for the best path to take. Once we had cleared Pioneer again, he was able to get up to a pretty normal cruise as we went down the Molle Channel and straight across to Hamilton with a good angle on the seas over our port quarter, and pulled into Hamilton at 2130.
With the patient and his carer on board, we were underway again less than 10 minutes later, running down the Fitzalan Passage to the northern end of Henning, making a reasonable speed and getting a better angle across toward the southern end of South Molle. The tide had started to ebb, meaning wind against tide and short, steep seas, and we were soon down to 11-12 knots as we looked for smoother water close to the mainland. It was, but not by much, and it was 8-10 knots as we got closer to the swirling seas off Pioneer, and once clear of that lovely spot we could bear away, and get back to normal cruise with the seas abeam instead of on the nose.
2245 and we had our passengers safely on the dock at the marina, refuelled, moved back to our own berth for shutdown, washdown and necessary paperwork before stepping off at 2320 after a pretty tiring 4 ½ hours – great job guys.
These were VMR1’s second and third activations for the day, all 3 are shown on the Marine Traffic map. After no activations the previous week (a very rare occurrence), we had 4 over the weekend.
Crew: Michel A, Shane N, Bill H.
Skipper: Mal P.
Activation 22/11/2022: Tow member’s jet ski broken down at Palm Bay.
Wednesday, one of my days off from VMR, I (Ken) receive a call from our emergency phone holder Bill. “We have a member broken down on his jet ski in Palm Bay. Can you assist as there are no other skippers available?” Yes Bill, please organise a crew we will take VMR2.
13:45 with Michel and Dick on board we headed for Palm Bay into 10 to 15 knot south east wind. Conditions a little lumpy. Whale Song VMR2, was skipping across the tops of the waves.
14:20 We arrived at our target vessel. 2 POB were taken onboard for the return trip to Shute Harbour. With our tow line attached, we moved out for a very slow trip. This ski did not have a “tow tap” and the owner did not know how to block the water from flooding his engine. So the recommended speed was to be 5 to 6 knots. Just as well he was a member. Otherwise it would have cost $375 per hour.
We departed for Shute arriving at 15:35. We arrived at the “not so beautiful” boat ramp at low tide. The only choice I had was to place the bow of Whale Song on the end of the normally submerged walkway. The ski owner then carefully stepped across, as Michel passed the ski bow line to him. It was too dangerous to land his partner, so we proceeded to the main dock, where she could safely disembark.
We then headed for Coral Sea Marina, arriving at 16:10.
Thank you to my crew for volunteering your time.
Senior Crew: Michel A, Crew: Dick F
Skipper: Ken B
Activation 23/11/2022: Medivac from Hayman Island. Our 247th activation for the year to date, and that equals our full year record from last year. And over a month to go!
Having just completed our weekly training; Man overboard drill, we gathered to talk about our training and enjoy a little celebration for remaining dry on what threatened to be a very damp training session. Our celebration was cut short with a quick call from our 24/7 emergency phone holder, Bill, “we have a Medivac from Hayman Island, I’ll gather a crew”. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!
A short walk to recently berthed Coral Sea Marina VMR1, I was shocked to find 2 paramedics awaiting our arrival! Darkness arrived quickly, heavy cloud cover, a waxing crescent moon proved to be a non event, not a star to be seen, a freshening easterly wind assisted the incoming tide to erase the comfort of all aboard. We had a request to get to the Island as quickly as possible; a child was ill, needing evacuation. We forged ahead with all possible haste. As we approached Hayman Island the wind increased in strength, gusting to 20 knots.
We docked, awaiting our patient and parents. Our return to the mainland was rough, the clouds released their threatened downpour, adding to the atmosphere of the evening! As we approached the marina, the rain eased slightly, allowing our passengers to walk to the awaiting ambulance relatively unmolested by the rain.
We completed our post activation tasks of refuelling, paperwork and shutdown in good order.
My thanks to our crew, good job in what proved to be some trying conditions:
Crew: Bill H (Senior crew), Donna D (Communications), Phil H (trainee).
Skipper: Paul M.
Activation 28/11/22: 8m members boat broken down near Line Reef. 5 POB.
Bill, our 24 hr Phone holder called at 13.18 to say a member was stuck out at the reef with 5 POB. This should be fun I thought, 1st activation for 3 months then off to the reef!
The crew were already getting the boat ready for departure when I arrived, so we got away at 13.40. Despite the Northerlies the sea was calm, and we had a little cloud cover, beautiful conditions. On the trip we got a couple of updates, the target could motor at a bit over idle and was making 5 knots towards us, great news. We caught up with him between Bait and Barb Reefs at 15.30 and were pleased to find the skipper was not only a member but past boat crew.
A quick hook up and we were on our way home with Barry driving. Dick, our comms man was keeping us informed of two more potential activations, one in Hill Inlet and the other in Chance Bay. Ken had apparently departed in VMR2 to see what he could do. Bill called asking for crew to take VMR1 out again to do the Hill Inlet job. This is when the communications fell over. By the time VMR1 would be able to get there it would be about low tide so there was no way she could get into Hill Inlet…… Then it transpired that possibly Ken had picked up the vessel from Hill Inlet and dropped him off at Chalkies Beach, or something, maybe. Anyway, the 4 crew decided to stay on, heroes, and Bill was trying to source another driver.
17.53 dropped off our tow at the leads at CSM to motor in whilst we went off to fuel up. Just as we finished Cap’t Ron turned up as relief skipper and I could go home. However, when I got to the car park, the car next to mine needed a jump start, so eventually we got him going and I left at 18.40.
Big cheer to our volunteers who had already done 5 hours and 70+ miles and then went out again, fantastic.
Crew: Michel A, Dick F, Barry L, Phil H.
Skipper: Geoff S.