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The aqua-green Rodeo has been a trusty sidekick for two decades but now the time has come for a new player to join Mackay’s marine rescue missions.
CQ Field Mining Services has gifted a fully-equipped Toyota HiLux to the Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay team, complete with a custom wrap. Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay vice president Heath Kennedy unveiling the group s new HiLux with Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson on Thursday. Picture: Daryl Howland.
Chief financial officer Jason Smith said the Mackay business of 15 years was pleased to contribute to an organisation that looked out for boaties like many of their employees.
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Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay members spent almost more time on the water than on land across the weekend with four rescues in less than 30 hours.
Two crews were doing winch training with their RACQ CQ Rescue peers on Saturday when they were called to separate incidents.
“As if on cue, a call (came) in for Mastermyne Rescue 5 to assist a 5m powerboat that had broken down near Keswick Island,” public relations and marketing volunteer Daryl Howland posted to the group’s Facebook page.
“Then another call (came) for an overturned vessel at Refuge Bay on Scawfell Island (with) Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Rescue 6 heading to help.
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A jetski owner had no reason to worry when he found himself stranded off Flat Top Island without power, thanks to his “meticulous” readiness.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay volunteer Daryl Howland said they received the call for help at 9.50am and were at the man’s aid within the hour.
“He was not able to give us GPS coordinates as he had complete electrical failure,” Mr Howland said.
But Mr Howland said he did have everything else, including a VMR membership, tall antenna, two anchors, a medical kit, EPIRB, flares, marine radio and a smart-coloured backpack.
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Rescue crews have come to the aid of two fishers who found themselves stranded 60km from the boat ramp with nightfall creeping in.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay skipper Don Bowden said crews received the call for help from northwest of Scawfell Island on Monday afternoon.
“(The boat) had battery failure so they had no communication,” Mr Bowden said.
“It was getting on towards dark, so they set off their EPIRB with the distress locator.” The Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay crew came to the aid of two fishers who found themselves stranded off Scawfell Island on Monday, December 21. Picture: VMR Mackay Facebook