Exhausted swimmer retrieved by crew from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven

[mrsswordfisherman]

Date: 20 July 2013

Exhausted swimmer retrieved by crew from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven

Shortly before 9:30 this morning Marine Rescue Shoalhaven was advised by NSW Police Port Kembla Marine Area Command that a swimmer had been reported in difficulties and was clinging to a buoy in open water at Mermaids Inlet near Currarong.

Rescue vessel Shoalhaven 31 was immediately tasked at top speed from Crookhaven Heads. Skipper Mario Savoca and crew reached the swimmers location and successfully retrieved the man.

The swimmer advised the crew that he was OK, however an ambulance had been called as standard operating procedure and was waiting to check out the man for any injuries.

Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Dean Storey, at a South Coast Search and Rescue Exercise in Bermagui, said, We are very pleased that our Shoalhaven members were able to rescue this swimmer so promptly and I commend them on their skilled response to this emergency.

It is especially satisfying to see our training programs for our volunteers deliver such professional results, Deputy Commissioner Storey said.

Eight Marine Rescue NSW units from the far South Coast and inland waterways are participating this weekend in a major South Coast Search and Rescue Exercise, together with personnel from NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, Roads and Maritime Services, NSW Ambulance Service, the Royal Australian Navy and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Deputy Commissioner Storey said, It is this kind of intensive training that equips our volunteers for their vital work of saving lives on the water.

Marine Rescue Shoalhaven Unit Commander Terry Watson said, This is the second emergency rescue that our members have responded to this week. On Wednesday afternoon we pulled three spear fishermen out of the water when their boat capsized off Crookhaven Head. We were also able to retrieve their boat.

[locodave]

I rescued a diver once myself at currarong. He was exhausted!