Marine Rescue NSW volunteers complete two medical evacuations during Sydney to Hobart race
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay and Marine Rescue Bermagui have assisted with two separate medical missions over the past 24 hours.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said the first call for assistance came through around 4.30pm Saturday 27 December.
“Volunteer radio operators at Marine Rescue Batemans Bay received a call on VHF Channel 16 from a sailing yacht racing in the Sydney to Hobart.
“The caller advised a crew member on board needed medical assistance, and sought advice on where to go,” Inspector Sullivan said.
While Narooma was the closest port, the sea conditions were too rough to cross the bar.
“In consultation with NSW Police Marine Area Command, the yacht was advised to head towards Batemans Bay.
“A volunteer crew on board rescue vessel Batemans Bay 30 were deployed to meet the racing yacht at Snapper Island, as the yacht’s draft was too large to enter the bay.
“At approximately 7.45pm, Marine Rescue Batemans Bay volunteers sighted the vessel, and escorted the yacht the Snapper Island
“Once moored, the patient was transferred to BM 30 and returned to Hanging Rock, Batemans Bay, where care was transferred to NSW Ambulance Paramedics,“ Inspector Sullivan said.
At approximately 1.30am this morning, Sunday 28 December, NSW Police Marine Area Command advised Marine Rescue NSW that a sailing yacht racing in the Sydney to Hobart would require assistance at Bermagui.
“Early this morning, I received a call from Marine Area Command advising that a racing yacht had an injured crew member on board.
“At the time of the call, the yacht was four to five hours from Bermagui.
“Once the vessel was closer to Bermagui, a volunteer crew and three NSW Ambulance paramedics were deployed on board Marine Rescue NSW rescue vessel Bermagui 30 to meet the yacht outside Bermagui Harbour.
“The injured crew member was transferred onto BG 30 and transported to the wharf, where paramedics continued to provide medical treatment,” Inspector Sullivan said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.