DAVE Haigh, Senior Constable of the Water Police Redland Bay has given some strong safety recommendations for those sailing on the Bay this summer, as the storm season begins.
“Every boat operator has the responsibility to ensure the safety of themselves and the passengers of other vessels on the water,” he said. “Questions people need to ask themselves are ‘Are your navigation lights operational? Have you let someone know where you’re going and when you’re coming back? Have you checked the weather forecast for the likelihood of storms, and do you have the correct safety gear on board?’,” he stressed.
Jobs that Senior Constable Haigh might complete in a typical day of keeping the public safe on the bay are: vessel patrols, conducting marine safety compliance checks, and operating the Stewart Kerlin II Barge that takes officers out to attend to policing needs on the islands of Moreton Bay.
“There’s a lot of focus on engaging the community to educate in regards to marine safety as well,” he said.
Haigh has been part of Queensland Police Service for ten years, and moved to the Water Police around three years ago, fulfilling a dream he has had since he grew up near Fraser Island [K’gari], fishing and boating.
He said Search and Rescue are the highlight of his role, despite the chance of seeing loss of life. “It’s very rewarding helping people in need. And generally being out on the water speaking to people is good, because most people are just trying to do the right thing,” he said.
The variety of the role is one of the things he enjoys the most.
“Last year I was one of the officers sent up to North Queensland to assist with the disaster management response to the Tropical Cyclone Jasper, so moments like that where we can mobilise and support our officers in local communities who need it, or who are in need, are a bit of a stand out for me.”
A voluntary organisation that sometimes works alongside Queensland Water Police – or takes on jobs for them – is the Brisbane Coast Guard, funded by donations and investments, that allow them to provide Search and Rescue help as well as assist with other operations on the water.
“We are a rescue asset the Police can use, or we can activate independently,” said Rick Holder, who wears a few “hats” for the Coast Guard, including Marketing Officer, and is based at the Manly branch QF-02.
Holder is one of the brave volunteers out on the water, drawing on his long military background and experience with boats, to help out locals in distress. “I decided it would be a good way to give back to the community and also keep up my interest in boats” he said of his decision to join the Brisbane Coast Guard two years ago.
A typical day for Holder might involve opening up the base, checking the radios, seeing if any issues need to be addressed from the previous roster, refuelling vessels that have been used overnight and training new volunteers. Search and Rescue missions undertaken can include jobs such a recent one, involving a sinking yacht out at Tangalooma, which “typically” happened just as he was finishing his roster and ready to go home.
“We had to go out as the sun was going down,” he explained. “The yacht had several tonnes of water on board and was perilously close to sinking, with perhaps another 30-60 minutes to try and save it.”
Holder had to make the call whether to try to save the yacht, or just rescue the two crew members. “Your first job is to preserve life’” he said.
But his years’ of experience told him on this occasion it was worth trying to save the yacht, as well as the crew, and he successfully led the effort to do just that.
“You have to be the calmest person in the room,” he said. “Because people are emotionally charged up and often do a good job of hiding it.”
When considering his best advice for water safety this summer, Holder advised, “Wear a life jacket, check the weather and tell someone where you’re going.”
FACTBOX
- Personal location beacons are recommended by the Brisbane Coast Guard as they help find missing persons out on the water.
- All boats have these, but it is ideal if people can wear one too.
