By Hollie Harris
The friendly folk who volunteer to keep us safe on our Noosa waters often go unnoticed as they are tucked away in the Coast Guard tower keeping watch.
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc is a voluntary civilian organisation of men and women formed to provide safety on our waterways, train boat users in all aspects of safe small boat handling and contribute effectively to the search and rescue operations.
Coast Guard is a registered charity and a volunteer non-profit organisation and all members are dedicated professional volunteers who freely give up their spare time to provide this service.
Across the silly season, the Noosa Coast Guard saw many boaters get themselves into trouble on the Noosa river bar and say it can be avoided by taking a few practical steps, but it isn’t just through summer that people need brushing up on their boating safety.
Noosa Coast Guard are asking boaters to brush up on their bar crossing safety and help keep each other safe out on the water.
Before you cross any bar, use your marine radio to log on and off (once you have safely crossed) with the Coast Guard.
You also need to check:
* The tides and weather updates (for both trips);
* The steering, bilge, hatches and drains;
* Life-saving equipment is ready for an emergency;
* All crew/passengers are wearing life jackets;
* The decks and secure all lines and movable items;
* Your boat is in trim and test the engines and controls; and
* For a position marker or leads so you can find the entrance on your return trip.
Noosa Coast Guard David Gillies says stopping and planning your route is a simple step which may help avoid getting into trouble.
“Every Saturday we map out the safest route across the bar. Pausing to plan your path doesn’t take long and can make all the difference,” David said.
“50 per cent of people don’t call Coast Guard. It’s free and only takes a few seconds,” he said.
David asks boaters to remember to radio in to the Coast Guard with the following information:
Say “Coast Guard Noosa this is (boat name or number) making an outward crossing of the bar. We have two people on board.”
Once you are out, radio in and say “We are safely across the bar. Heading to Jew Shoal and returning approximately 4pm.”
Repeat the same process on the way back in. David said it was often coming back in that boaters ran into trouble.
“On the way out, hit the wave straight on, nice and easy. On the way back in, many people don’t realise that you need to sit behind the breaking wave and roll steadily in with it,” he said.
If the Coast Guard is aware of your location and expected return, they can expect you back through and try to make contact after half an hour has passed by your estimate.
These practices ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers.
Noosa Coast Guard have been watching over our waterways for many years and two years ago, they created a memorial service where they can help us once again when the times comes to say farewell.
This coming May marks the second anniversary of the Memorial Wall at Noosa Coast Guard headquarters. Send off your loved ones out at sea and scatter ashes around Granite Bay, or at a location which has a special meaning to your family.
This is a unique and treasured moment to bring your loved ones affinity with the sea or our waters here in Noosa together one last time.
Contact Coast Guard on (07) 5474 3695 if you would like to learn more about their memorial options or visit the wall yourself through the Noosa Caravan Park, right up the far end beside Coast Guard’s headquarters.
You can also read the latest QF5 Noosa ’Rescue Sunshine Coast’ Magazine online at www.coastguard.com.au
