Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from Point Danger in the Northern Rivers to Sussex Inlet on the South Coast, and from across Greater Sydney and the Hunter Central Coast, will converge on Penrith this weekend to put their flood rescue skills to the test at the Australasian Rescue Organisation's (ARO) Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge.
Image: Marine Rescue Shoalhaven's Mark Schwegler retrieves a target during the 2025 challenge
Fourteen Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and staff representing ten units across the state will take part in the event at Penrith's Whitewater Stadium on Saturday 5 September, with seven competing in three teams and a further seven supporting the Marine Rescue NSW contingent and taking part in professional development opportunities.
The group represents Marine Rescue NSW's Northern Rivers, Hunter Central Coast, Greater Sydney and Illawarra regions, as well as State Headquarters, highlighting the statewide reach of the Service's State Operations Group.
State Operations Group members are trained in flood rescue and support and can be deployed anywhere in NSW to assist the NSW Government's response to severe weather emergencies.
The Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge provides an opportunity for the Marine Rescue NSW contingent to enhance its skills and experience through high-intensity, competitive flood rescue challenges conducted alongside multiple emergency agencies.
Marine Rescue Point Danger's Guy Youngblutt, Marine Rescue Middle Harbour's Simon Fennen and Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet's Glenn Wright (pictured below in all black wetsuit) will team up in one of Marine Rescue NSW's inflatable rescue boats.
Marine Rescue Terrigal's Paul Barrie, Marine Rescue Hawkesbury's Guy Burge and Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking's Ursula Stroh will form the second team, while Steve Minshall from Marine Rescue Broken Bay will participate as the land-based operator within a multi-agency team for the in-water rescue challenge.
Marine Rescue NSW Capability Manager Dave Bowing said the challenge provided a valuable opportunity for volunteers to test and develop their skills in a controlled but demanding multi-agency environment.
"This type of challenge format is a relatively new area for Marine Rescue NSW, but our volunteers are enjoying the challenge of developing and expanding their skill sets," Bowing said.
"The crews have to complete a series of challenges and are assessed on their performance, effectiveness and attention to detail.
"There's a medical component, caring for simulated patients, vessel handling, manoeuvring and rescue techniques.
"Our crews will compete against some incredibly skilled operators this weekend who are extremely experienced in flood rescue and recovery and regularly use IRBs."
The Marine Rescue NSW contingent represents a broad geographic spread of the Service:
- Northern Rivers: Guy Youngblutt - Marine Rescue Point Danger
- Hunter Central Coast: Daryl Jurd - Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage; Paul Barrie - Marine Rescue Terrigal
- Greater Sydney: Michael Roseworn and Guy Burge - Marine Rescue Hawkesbury; Steve Minshall - Marine Rescue Broken Bay; Simon Fennen - Marine Rescue Middle Harbour; Thosh Chege - Marine Rescue Port Jackson; Glenn Evans and Ursula Stroh - Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking
- Illawarra: Anita Smith - Marine Rescue Jervis Bay; Bill Norris and Glenn Wright - Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet
- State Headquarters: Leah Mudie - Marine Rescue NSW
Bowing said the Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge brings emergency service personnel together for a series of practical flood rescue challenges, providing an opportunity to share knowledge, test operational skills and strengthen capability across agencies.
"Participation in the challenge forms part of Marine Rescue NSW's ongoing commitment to developing the skills and capability of volunteers who can be deployed statewide to support communities during severe weather emergencies," he said.
