Marine Rescue Batemans Bay celebrated a night of presentations on Tuesday, February 19 as the Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage was awarded to Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts during a rescue in 2017 of a stranded yacht off Bingi Bingi.
Members from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay, Marine Rescue Narooma, Tuross Marine Rescue and Marine Rescue Bermagui gathered at the Catalina Country Club in Batemans Bay t for the presentation of medals and citations.
Keith Wrench, Peter Varkulevicius, Michael Dolan, Paul Hallam from Batemans Bay, and Raymond McLeod, Denise Page and Alec Percival from Bermagui were presented with the Commissioner's Commendation for Courage.
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The commendations read "This commendation recognises the conspicuous courage of Batemans Bay 30 crew throughout their operations in poor sea and weather conditions on the 24 January 2017. The volunteers fought their way through 6 metre seas and strong winds to effect the rescue of three persons aboard the stricken yacht La La Jo Tres, the 55 footer having issued a Mayday in response to steering failure and a likelihood that they would founder in the poor conditions."
Commissioner’s Citations were also presented to Judith Barry-Cotter from Narooma, Peter Ford from Bermagui, and Michael Syrek, Matthew Mason, Peter Withington, David Murn and Donald Brewster from Batemans Bay.
Citations presented were "in recognition of the meritorious service of all Marine Rescue NSW members who participated in the emergency operation to effect the rescue of three persons from the La La Jo Tres when the 55 footer last steerage and was likely to founder in poor sea and weather conditions on Tuesday 24 January 2017. The crew of BG30, BM30 and Unit radio operators from Batemans Bay, Narooma and Bermagui demonstrated skill and professionalism in difficult circumstances."
10 year service Medals were also presented to Peter Withington of Batemans Bay and Julia Mayo-Ramsay of Narooma, while 5 year service medals were presented to Batemans Bay Unit Commander Richard Blundell and Skipper Eris Kennedy.
Above: Batemans Bay Marine rescue back in 2016
