VIC
218 posts
Hi All
Just thought that I would post a couple of my views, you may not agree
Have been very impressed with all the navigation aids on my sailing trip, when you compare the number of users to cars we who use these aids get a pretty good deal, an thinking cost wise, I could not fault the navigation aids, not sure who is responsible both states Qld and Vic both were good, well done who ever
Second point is NOT a plus, Marine Rescue, Coast Guard, which ever, very confusing, I can not see the value at all, there are 5 of which ever that I never logged off, and never heard, to this day, from them, !!!!!!!! They tell me that they pass info along, it never happened at all, if you are coming in after they finish, about 5pm what happens then !!!!!!!! They cant or wont advise on condition in there area, liability concerns !!!!!!!!!
The building that they operate from are prime real estate and the building them selves are not old, a lot of money tied up there !!!!!!!
They have great boats which when needed are great, and of good valve, but I think need a better way of use.
OK so most are volunteers, am guessing retired and am also guessing most, not all have little experence, may be would be better at the mens shed
Your thoughts
VIC
344 posts
Coast guard isn't funded by government (except in the case of grants), but via volunteer members fees and largely by donations. Not every flotilla is a radio coordination center, but the ones that are have operating hours governed by the local government. Otherwise they monitor the after hours emergency phone.
Their buildings (funded by donations and members) are used for training and meetings. Members are vigorously trained and donate a very large amount of their unpaid time to ensure they able to assist when needed in any conditions. They can get called out any time (24/7) to go out in rubbish weather, often to save people that went out unprepared or just simply not playing by the rules. A coastguard boat will not go out without a coxswain and competent crew (trained).
Lexmark maybe you should volunteer your own services and see what its all about before throwing stones around.
VIC
344 posts
I myself am a volunteer at the coast guard and at my local yacht club on the rescue boat. I do it because I love being on the water and it gives me a chance to support the community.
QLD
12365 posts
Well done SirJman. We should have a taxpayer funded Coast Guard like the U.S.
VIC
218 posts
Hi I understand that they are volunteers , I am just questioning mainly the use of all the log on and log offs, as I have explained there are 5 times that I havnt, or havnt been able to log off, with out any action ???????????? just leaves me wondering, am not sure of the answer
VIC
605 posts
Hi All,
In December last year during a visit to a major volunteer Coast Guard centre on the NSW East Coast (to avail ourselves of their gracious offer of hot showers and use of other facilities), I discovered the operator (a retired non boating volunteer) on duty hadn't heard of AIS and after a mini tutorial including showing him how to use marinetraffic.com, he thought the concept of vessel tracking by AIS was terrific!
Understand this is by no means criticism of him, but demonstrated to me the need for a coordinated training scheme to help bring all Coast Guard operators up to speed all aspects of boating relevant to their activities.
regards,
Allan
NSW
1531 posts
Sailing from Qld to Sydney l used the services of MR all the way and can only speak of them and their service with the highest regard. When we were tired and forgot to call in at the ETA they kept calling us until we responded or rang us on our mobiles. This happened only twice, twice too often, sorry, in the three months we were underway. Approaching Sydney thus, the tune changed, when l was reporting my position. l was lectured by the operator who obviously did not get his rocks off before he left home. There was nothing wrong with my using the VHF for the previous three months and ever since. l think it was a one off big city arrogance or frustration.
I firmly believe MR is necessary, life saving and should be supported by all means possible.
NSW
862 posts
Not sure about Marine Rescue not bothering. On a recent trip with a friend, we were a bit overdue between Botany Bay and Pittwater. Shaun had left his phone, and he radio off to conserve batteries. When we turned the phone on, there were a couple of messages from MR, then about an hour later a call from Pittwater Water Police to make sure we understood that if we log on, we must keep in touch and advise if we're over our eta or to log off. This was a weekday as well, so we were being well looked after. Thankfully, Shaun's wife didn't answer the phone when the police called her to see whether we'd made contact. She'd have been quite worried I'd reckon.
Marine Rescue should be much better funded and more stations open longer up and down the busy coastline, but that's politics. I've never had any reason to complain about their service, ever, they do a great job. Oh, and if you can't raise em on the radio, you can always phone them if you're within mobile range. Even of you call one of the other stations they can relay your message via email to the one you need.
NSW
2711 posts
Having been a volunteer in the Marine Rescue Sydney, Terrey Hills radio base my view is that most MR volunteers do a good job within the resources they have. The problems, in my view, are:
- very few have any marine experience. Many could be volunteering with meals on wheels but just decided to volunteer at MR. Of the 70 or so volunteers at MR Sydney when I was there less than 10 had boating experience.
- they do the radio work but do not have any responsibility for search and rescue. All incidents requiring a rescue go to the police to manage. This was why I didn't continue, I expected that as a trained SAR Mission Coordinator from my Navy days I would be able to run SAR operations.
- because many do not have marine experience they do not appreciate the boat's situation. Often eta times are let go for an hour or more before any attempt is made to contact the vessel.
NSW
190 posts
The only bad experience I've had with MR is when VIC MR reported me overdue from a trip from Hobart to Melbourne Problem is I was in Sydney and had never been in Hobart or Melbourne! Took a bit of explaining to the misses!!
To date the MR in Sydney I think do a great job and I can't imagine what would happen if they didn't exist.
Oh and Lexmark I'm president of a Men shed and I would love to have them as a member.
VIC
218 posts
Yep, Mens Sheds are great value,
NSW
127 posts
I am registered with Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie, I get piece of mind when transiting up and down the coast knowing they are watching my back, and they do, they quite often call me up to see how I am going, if im running late for the Swansea bridge they will quite often re schedule and keep me updated. However I can not talk for other areas and at times I have wondered whos hands I have just put my life into but Hell I would not be without them, after all they are voluntary and thank you for being there for me.
i do hear from time to time of others same experience but are we the sailors a little guilty of using this service without giving something back like our view of the service, experiences and what they could do more for us...?. I say this knowing that I give generously every year beyond my subscription because I do not want to be at sea without them watching my back...?
VIC
218 posts
Is it the 1stb April ????????????????
VIC
218 posts
Have to agree, defeats the purpose having women at mens sheds, love women, but NOT in mens sheds
QLD
880 posts
we welcome women,
we don't get many
they mostly single and need help or advise
NSW
527 posts
Sailing north, ok to log on and off ect….
Sailing south , for me never again, it becomes a game of chinese whispers
If the weather forecast seems nice it's great to head out to the EAC
But to try to explain to the VMR or whatever they are called now, that i may be out of contact for a few days and am not sure when or where i'll contact them again is just inconceivable to them and has ended with calls from Aus SAR to my loved ones is just not on
So for me never again
But, for fishos going in and out in one day, it's great
