National Search and Rescue Awards 2017

The recipients of the prestigious National Search and Rescue Awards for 2017 recognising ‘Outstanding contribution to Search and Rescue' within the Australian region were recently handed down by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

This year's recipients were:

>> Professional Search and Rescue Award – New South Wales Police Force Marine Area Command Nemesis crew, who came to the rescue of two sailors whose yacht capsized off Sydney in one of the most publicised rescues of the year

>> Non-professional Search and Rescue Award – Port Phillip Bay fisherman Wayne Kelly, who saved the lives of three kayakers adrift in the bay with no lifejackets

>> Commendation Award – Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Service RAC Rescue helicopter 651 crew, who battled 90km/h winds and fading light to winch an injured cray fisherman in Israelite Bay to safety.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority Chief Executive Officer and National Search and Rescue Council Chair, Mr Mick Kinley, said the courage shown by this year’s recipients was worthy of national recognition.

"These brave men came to the rescue of strangers without hesitation," Mr Kinley said, adding "they were willing to place their lives on the line to ensure the safety of others, which is the very definition of heroism."

"The tragic sinking of the fishing vessel Dianne off the coast of Queensland this week is a reminder of the importance of search and rescue and the sort of dangerous conditions that searchers are often expected to work in."

These successful nominees made a significant contribution to Australia's search and rescue ability and to the saving of a human life.

NSW POLICE RECOGNISED
Officers from the Marine Area Command were presented with the award for the bravery and seamanship they
displayed in rescuing two sailors from the stricken yacht Val when it foundered some 220nm off the NSW coastline.   

Recipients of the award were Sgt Farquharson, Sgt Morris, Sgt Hrnjak, LSC Tape, LSC Hill, S/C Hogan and S/C Stefanac.

The dramatic rescue from 40ft yacht in treacherous seas saw the seven officers put to sea in the Nemesis,
a 32m offshore patrol vessel powered by 1825hp CAT 12V C32 ACERT
engines, with a 1400nm range and capable of 27 knots. But not in these
conditions.

After battling six-metre swells and gale-force southerly winds, the Nemesis
reached the yacht at 8.30am the next morning (Wednesday March 8, 2017).
It wasn’t until 8:30pm that night that they made it back to Sydney with
the rescued crew.

The award was presented by the Australian
Marine Safety Association CEO, Mick Kinley, who during the presentation
recognised the seamanship endured with 7m seas and 60 knot winds to
rescue the stricken sailors after they activated their EPIRB.  

In accepting the award Sgt Farquharson praised the professionalism and seamanship shown by the crew of the Police vessel.

NON-PROFESSIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARD
The initiative of a seasoned fisherman led to the rescue of three men from the water in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, in November last year. 

William (Wayne) Kelly found an upturned, unmanned kayak floating about 4km off the township of Mordialloc just before midday on November 17, 2016. Without hesitation, Wayne contacted emergency services and began a search on his own for possible missing persons. Sea conditions were rough, with winds reaching 30 knots. 

Within minutes of starting his search, Wayne located two men without lifejackets treading water not far from the abandoned kayak. They had spent an hour in the water attempting to swim the 4km to shore, and their efforts had left them severely fatigued and struggling to keep their heads above water. 

The men alerted Wayne to a third person who was with them in the kayak before it capsized. After Wayne pulled them from the water into the safety of his boat, he resumed his search.  Less than 30 minutes later, he located the third missing man also treading water without a lifejacket. If it wasn’t for Wayne’s quick thinking and actions, these three men might have drowned. 

HISTORY OF THE AWARD
First awarded in 1996, the inaugural winners were Senior Constable Aherne, Senior Constable Griffiths and MICA Officer Lamb of the Victorian Police Air Wing for their efforts in rescuing three men stranded on a sinking trawler in Bass Strait on August 23, 1995.

In the same year two Highly Commended Awards were presented to Mr Kevin Bald for his efforts in the rescue of a man off Kangaroo Island and to Sergeant Richard Mostard of the Bairnsdale Water Police, Victoria, for the rescue of a person from an upturned trimaran south east of Gabo Island.

We tilt our hat and thank all marine rescue authorities and the brave and gallant crews who risk live and limb for the boating community at sea.

More on the National Search and Rescue Award.