Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from three Illawarra Shoalhaven units have taken part in a vital training exercise to prepare for a variety of situations that could occur when serving on the organisation’s rescue vessels.
Members from Marine Rescue Shellharbour, Port Kembla and Shoalhaven underwent the Sea Survival Course in Shellharbour on Sunday.
Marine Rescue NSW Illawarra Zone Duty Operations Manager Stuart Massey said the course provided volunteers with crucial learnings which must be completed by all boat crew as part of their training.
“One of the courses that we do teach our new volunteers is our sea survival and fight fires onboard a vessel.
“It’s very important that we look after our members and in the very unlikely event of a fire onboard or vessel abandonment, it’s important that our volunteers understand what to do and to look after themselves for survival,” Massey said.
The course consists of several components including; firefighting demonstration and practical, sea survival including sea survival crafts and practices and flare use.
Massey said all three units are looking for new volunteers.
“Marine Rescue NSW particularly in the Port Kembla, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven area, we’re always looking for new volunteers to come and join our team, whether it be on the radios or be on the vessels themselves.
“It doesn’t matter about age or ability because we will train you and we will teach you,” he said.
