Surf Rescue 30

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Surf Rescue 30 This is the present location of the Surf Rescue 30 base. This vessel was powered a single V8 "chevy" engine connected to a Hamilton three stage jet unit.

Surf Rescue 30 (Randwick District Offshore Rescue Boat) is a surf lifesaving rescue group, crewed by surf lifesavers which has been in operation since 1969
For more information or membership inquires please contact Doug Lucas ORB Coordinator The Randwick District Offshore Rescue Boat (callsign Surf Rescue 30), traces its origins quite literally back to the "summer of 69" when a group of visionary

volunteer surf lifesavers recognised the need for a specialist craft to operate beyond the traditional patrolled beaches of Malabar, South Maroubra, Maroubra, Coogee and Clovelly and utilize the teachings and philosophies of surf lifesaving to save lives. A plan was hatched by these "trailblazing" lifesavers and a support base built at Malabar on Sydney’s eastern beaches (interestingly the construction of the current base was assisted by prisoners from Sydney’s Long Bay Correctional Centre). Malabar is an ideal location not only because of its central position but being a deep and protected ocean bay it affords Surf Rescue 30 direct access into the Pacific Ocean
The original craft chosen was a jet rescue boat or “JRB” as they became colloquially known. The key advantage of this set up was that the rescue craft could access the surf break to assist patients. With an overall length of approximately 6 metres, the craft offered speed and maneuverability in the surf with the craft having a search and rescue duration of up to 6 hours. Operational areas with shallow waters or beach breaks is where a jet system is unmatched – in fact the craft once on the plane could operate quite comfortably in a in water depth of only 10cms allowing it to easily traverse over sandbanks during rescue operations. The Randwick District, comprising the four surf life saving clubs being; South Maroubra, Maroubra, Coogee and Clovelly operated three such jet rescue boats between 1969 and 1994. The first two were known a "Smiths" and the third was a Mutimer jet boat and they served Sydney Branch Surf Life Saving and the Randwick Communities well on the beaches during this period. In fact, jets boats still perform valuable rescue work in areas where there are lengthy coastlines and shallow and treacherous bar crossings. The absence of underwater appendages inherent with water jets allows these boats to operate close to shore and in shallow waters. In 1994, with the increasing use of Inflatable Rescue Boats (or "Rubber Duckies" as they are affectionately known), there became less of a need for a specialised jet boats for patrol work in a white water aquatic environment. This did not mean there was not a need for a specialist volunteer rescue craft. Rather the craft needed to be "fit for purpose" and the days of jet boats were clearly numbered in Randwick. So what craft was assessed as “fit for purpose”? The Randwick Coastline is in fact a treacherous but spectacular rocky and cliff coastline punctuated by a series of smaller beaches. What was called for was a stable craft to provide beyond the break assistance for the traditional beach lifesavers and lifeguards and access to the deep coastal bays and remote rocky cliffs. Key for this task was reliability, stability and safety and so began the transformation with the use of twin hull vessels know as “Cats”. These craft are fast, fuel efficient and offer maximum space with close to the maximum beam running from bow to stern. The craft operate beyond the break but are small and nimble enough to get close to the coastline when required. In 1992, the Randwick District purchased its first Offshore Rescue Craft cat, a 6.5 metre Noosa Cat which we operated until retiring it out of service in 2002. This craft was succeeded by the “City of Randwick II” a second generation Noosa Cat custom designed for surf lifesaving operations and which remained in service until 2010. Our current craft is a 6.5 metre state of the art KevlaCat specifically customised to suit surf lifesaving rescue requirements. The craft is powered by twin 150 horsepower Yamaha 4-stoke motor and is "state of the art" in terms of design and construction. It carries a variety of paramedical equipment including an oxy viva; defibrillator; soft pack first aid kit; stokes litter; spinal stretcher and collars; rescue tubes; basic tow rig; Penthrane; and basic dive equipment supported by trained volunteer Lifesavers. It carries enough fuel to permit at least a 10 hour tasking and operates with a trained crew of three. Since our inception in 1969, the Group has been tasked to well in excess of 1000 missions. Our motto is "safer beaches, safer coastline, safer lives"

Winters an important time for volunteers to unwind after a busy summer period. But it’s also when many clubbies re do Fi...
27/07/2025

Winters an important time for volunteers to unwind after a busy summer period.
But it’s also when many clubbies re do First Aid Courses and other proficiencies ready for the season ahead.

Thanks to those in SR30 who recently re did their First Aid ⛑️ Certificates with more courses to follow.

Not only do these skills help during beach patrols but also workplaces and families throughout our community.

Randwick City Council

Members being awesome! Shout out to Richard “Richo” Holstein of Coggee SLSC who has recently completed his Coxswains NC1...
21/07/2025

Members being awesome!

Shout out to Richard “Richo” Holstein of Coggee SLSC who has recently completed his Coxswains NC1 at Sea School International strengthening group operations.

Richo has decades of Marine experience in commercial and competitive sailing completing the Sydney to Hobart yacht race multiple times amonsgt others.

The group is so lucky to have his experience and to top it off he is a great bloke. Well done Richo and thankyou for your contSurf Life Saving SydneySSurf Life Saving NSWfCoogee SLSCW
Coogee SLSCe

A huge congratulations to several SR30 group members who were recently recognised by way of the National Service Medal f...
09/07/2025

A huge congratulations to several SR30 group members who were recently recognised by way of the National Service Medal for contributions to SLS and our community.

Special mention to:

- Richard Lissenden 2nd clasp.

- Clive Stiff 15 Yrs National Medal

- Matt Harper 15 Yrs National Medal &

- Patrick Moore 15 Yrs National Medal

Thanks for your contributions and on achieving this special milestone.

Congratulations to the 107 Surf Lifesavers recognised with National Medals in SLSA National Medal Batch 53!

This prestigious award is part of the Australian honours system and recognises long and diligent service by individuals who risk their lives or safety to protect and serve the community in times of emergency and natural disaster.

Read the full story : bit.ly/National_Medals_July25

Huge congratulations to each of Surf Life Saving Sydney Branch volunteers on your contributions to our community no matt...
06/07/2025

Huge congratulations to each of Surf Life Saving Sydney Branch volunteers on your contributions to our community no matter how big or small.

Special mention to Jake McDonald who did an outstanding job as the evening MC.

Well done to all of the award winners for season 2024/25. In particular we congratulate Marie Bowen SR30 ORB Member of the Year and Doug Lucas Sydney Branch Member of the Year.

Both members will say it’s one big team to keep the wheels moving and do what we do and that’s 100% true.

On Saturday 10 May 2025 around 30 members from Surf Rescue 30 joined other members from Surf Life Saving Sydney at the a...
12/05/2025

On Saturday 10 May 2025 around 30 members from Surf Rescue 30 joined other members from Surf Life Saving Sydney at the annual Rescue Services Awards of Excellence (Duty Officers, UAV, RWC and Offshore Boat) held at group sponsor Maroubra Seals club.

Thanks to Sydney Branch President Elissa Hancock, Deputy President Gary Discoll and SLSNSW Deputy President Joel Wiseman for attending and spending the evening with our members.

Rescue Services clubbies are special people in that they go above and beyond putting in additional hours on top of their club contributions as patrollers, trainers, coaches, athletes etc. Many of our members back up year after year and spend an incredibly amount of time on patrols on behalf of providing enhanced community safety on our beaches and waterways.

These nights are really special and its fantastic to be able to recognise the efforts of individuals and the team

Congratulations to the following individuals.

EDUCATIONAL AWARDS
2 x NSW Offshore Rescue Boat Skipper
• Steve Denholm (Maroubra (SLSC) 25
• Rachelle McCarthy (Maroubra SLSC) 26 (Since 1994)

5 x NSW Offshore Rescue Boat Drivers
• Louis Wiart, (Freshwater SLSC)
• Scott Parker, (Coogee SLSC)
• Richard Holstein, (Coogee SLSC
• John Cvetko (Killcare SLSC)
• Sergio Kulikpvsky (Bondi SLSC)

11x NSW Offshore Rescue Boat Crew
• Louis Wiart, (Freshwater SLSC)
• Elena Cormack, (Bondi SLSC)
• Will Kypreos, (Maroubra SLSC)
• Brody Robertson, (Bellambi SLSC)
• Cheree D'Ornay, (Clovelly SLSC)
• Tecla Di Franceso, (Coogee SLSC)
• Tom Breen, (Maroubra SLSC)
• Alex Newman, (Coogee SLSC)
• Olliver Glanville, (Maroubra SLSC),
• Montanah Owen, (Maroubra SLSC) &
• Peter Harvie (Coogee SLSC)

15 x Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue
• Tecla Di Frances, (Coogee SLSC)
• Will Kypreos (Maroubra SLSC)
• Montanah Owen (Maroubra SLSC)
• Marie Bowen (Maroubra SLSC)
• Michelle Cielesh, (Maroubra SLSC)
• Karen Coleman, (South Maroubra SLSC)
• Christopher Dobson,
• Cheree D'Ornay (Clovelly SLSC)
• Joe Doyle, (Maroubra SLSC)
• Olliver Glanville, (Maroubra SLSC)
• Jade Melvey, (North Bondi SLSC)
• Alex Newman (Coogee SLSC)
• Brody Robertson (Bellambi SLSC)
• Louis Wiart (Freshwater SLSC)
• Stein Harrison (North Bondi SLSC)

3 x Facilitators Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue
• Jake McDonald (Maroubra SLSC
• Doug Lucas (Narrabeen & Garie SLSC)
• Nick Tyler (Garie SLSC)

1 x ORB Training Officers
• Phillip Sylvester (Marboura SLSC)

2 x AMSA Coxswains (NC1 and NC2)
• Nick Kypreos (NC2 5nm)
• John Cvetko (NC1 (15nm)

Total 39 new awards.

We also now have 19 x AMSA Commercially endorsed Coxswains or higher within the group.

FUNNY AWARD

I KNOW BOATS
Phil Sylvester – popped wheel at Rose Bay boat ramp (My bad accidental damage)

A- TEAM AWARD
Brad TAYLOR, Will Davidson, Louis Wiart & Tom BREEN – Big Friday over Easter long weekend taking the boat out in response to a missing person off Little Bay and searching for the drowned 24 yr old male in over 5m swell and completing 60 nautical miles on behalf of the NSW Police tasking.

MEMBERSHIP RECOGNITION AWARDS.

PROFICIENCY AWARDS – All members completing their annual patrols and award proficiencies as CREW, DRIVER or SKIPPER were recognised and thanked with a Surf Rescue 30 patrol towel. You guys know who are on the night. Keep up the great work.

RECRUIT OF YEAR (JOINT)

Elena CORMACH from Bondi SLSC 58 patrol hrs on SR30 & (81.5 hrs combined)
Cherree D’ORNAY from Clovelly SLSC 43.5 hrs on SR30 & (97.5 hrs combined). Both ladies have been a joy to work with throughout the season and brought different elements to the group within their own rights.

CAPTAINS AWARD
Fiona Phelps from Coogee 105 patrol hours on SR30 and (119 hrs combined) Fiona is the rock of positive energy and enthusiasm. She has worked hard this season as a trainee driver, is on the call out team, is always cleaning the boat and equipment so its rescue ready and is the group hugger. Thanks, mate

KEN BLAKIE AWARD & ORB PERSON ON THE YEAR. – Marie BOWEN, Maroubra SLSC. 200 hrs on SR30 and 251.8 combined with her club. Marie has a stared for several seasons keeping the boat online often at short notice rostering on. She is loved by all and has worked hard to obtain her commercial Coxswains Near Coastal 1 through AMSA. On top of her SLS responsibilities she has also done may duties with Marine Rescue Botany Hacking extending her marine knowledge in the support of safer waters. Thank you, Marie, for all that you do.

On behalf of the group, I thank each and every member for the small or large contributions you make to keeping the boat operational. In a volunteer world we are all time poor and so we always take and appreciate what time people can spare. No one person is more or less important and together we manage to support our community. Thanks to our sponsors, thanks to Sydney Branch and SLSNSW for your continued operational support.

Until next season

Doug Lucas
ORB Coordinator & Group Captain.
2024/25

Randwick City Council
Surf Life Saving Sydney
Maroubra Seals Club
Surf Life Saving NSW
Look Design Group

To all the mothers of Surf Rescue 30 and all the mothers in our community thank you for everything you do for us each da...
10/05/2025

To all the mothers of Surf Rescue 30 and all the mothers in our community thank you for everything you do for us each day. We have many amazing mothers now leading our group and your contributions are inspiring and amazing.

A shout out to some of our special mums on the boat including:

Trenese Chesher ESM (Skipper)
Marie Bowen (Driver)
Rachelle McCarthy (Skipper)
Fiona Phelps (Crew)
Jennie Smith (Crew)
Nicole Krite (Skipper)
Cheree D'Ornay (crew)
Julie Pritchard & (Crew)
Kristy Skipper (Driver)

We hope you are all spoilt by your families and friends today.

And that’s a wrap of season 24/25. Thanks to all our fabulous members, supporters, sponsors and community. Keeping our o...
09/05/2025

And that’s a wrap of season 24/25. Thanks to all our fabulous members, supporters, sponsors and community.

Keeping our operations running under SLSNSW has been a major moment in the groups long and proud history. It’s been a season of transition, recruitment and rebuilding whilst still providing a first rate patrol and rescue service.

Throughout the season we have had a mix of new and old members which has provided fabulous new blood and fresh ideas.

On patrol the boat has covered a staggering 3107 nautical miles or the equivalent of 4 return trips to the Gold Coast.

We have performed 17 rescues, 416 preventative actions, 19 coastal searches and 2 shark taskings.

Rebuilding under Sydney Branch Rescue Services has been the focus after the group with SLSNSW rewrote our educational framework. This has now included the SMAR course for all crew focusing on rock rescue and AMSA Coxswains for all Skippers.

Throughout the season we completed a staggering 39 new awards and the group is now hovering around 67 members strong the largest group membership we have ever had.

Thankyou to SLSNSW President Peter Agnew AM for having faith and confidence in our operations and Director of Lifesaving SYD Michael Bonnici for all your support.

Thankyou you to sponsors
Randwick City Council
Maroubra Seals Club
Souths Juniors League Club
Without such incredible support the group would not exist.

The boats primary focus is to support the un patrolled rock access points and beaches and unfortunately we saw 2 lives lost during the Easter break with the boat playing a major part in attempted rescues and searches as tasked by NSW Police.

The boat has now had its end of season service and all crew remain on call over winter through 13SURF 24 x 7 call our system.

For those members in SLS interested in joining next season no matter what branch your from we are happy to chat so send through an email.

09/05/2025
Assessment Day 24/25!Today Surf Rescue 30 undertook final assessments for new members doing both their Offshore Rescue B...
26/04/2025

Assessment Day 24/25!
Today Surf Rescue 30 undertook final assessments for new members doing both their Offshore Rescue Boat Crew and Drivers.

The assessment covered it all with various marine drills, fire, rescue scenarios, MFD plotter work, safety equipment, PPE, anchoring, launching and retrieivng, navigational aids, driving at speed, close quarter manoeuvring, refuelling, and vessel transfers.

Thanks to Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force. Water Police 40 from Botany for your assistance and showing another 2c survey vessel.

Congratulations to our NEW DRIVERS:

- Sergio Kulikovsky from Bondi SLSC
- John Cvetko from Killcare SLSC
- Richard Holstein from Maroubra SLSC

NEW CREW
- Peter Harvie from Coogee SLSC
- Olliver Glanville from Maroubra SLSC and
- Montana Owen from Maroubra SLSC.

Well done to each of you after many months of training. Thank you forr your committment and service to the community.

Like all days when trying to pack up the boat was called to assist NSW Police and SLSNSW Duty Officers with an incident off rocks at Bondi. The matter was quickly resolved by Police Rescue allowing the crew to retrieve.

Randwick City Council
Surf Life Saving Sydney
Surf Life Saving NSW
Surf Life Saving Australia
Surf Life Saving Central Coast
Killcare Surf Life Saving Club

Thanks ladies for keeping our Beaches safe today on ANZAC Day. The team loved the fly over from Lifesaver 21 “Lest we f...
25/04/2025

Thanks ladies for keeping our Beaches safe today on ANZAC Day. The team loved the fly over from Lifesaver 21

“Lest we forget.”

Randwick City Council
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
Surf Life Saving Sydney

21/04/2025
And that’s Easter!A huge thank you to the volunteer crews from Surf Rescue 30 who over the 4 day long weekend performed ...
21/04/2025

And that’s Easter!

A huge thank you to the volunteer crews from Surf Rescue 30 who over the 4 day long weekend performed over 410km patrolling and searching up and down our coast line from Bondi to Wattamolla.

Our hearts go out to the two families with tragedy’s at Little Bay and Wattamolla. Our members are guttered to witness such events.

Thank you to our sponsors who help keep the boat online for fuel, servicing and supporting our community.

As a group we try to support paid emergency services under their direction and taskings to the best of our abilities without endangering the lives of our crew. This weekend has been a big one putting our training and experience to the test. Members are exhausted but the boat will be back patrolling next weekend to finish off season 24/25.

Randwick City Council
Surf Life Saving Sydney
Surf Life Saving NSW
Surf Life Saving Australia

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