RESCUERS’ SKILLS SHOWCASED IN PIONEER RIVER DEMONSTRATION
October 27, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESCUERS’ SKILLS SHOWCASED IN PIONEER RIVER DEMONSTRATION
The region’s blue and yellow rescue helicopter will be buzzing up and down the Pioneer River on Saturday in what promises to be an impressive display of various rescue techniques.
Rescue in the River, presented by Richglen Maintenance Services, is a helicopter winch and search and rescue demonstration by RACQ CQ Rescue featuring Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay. The demonstration kicks off at 10.30am on October 31 which is election day.
RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan said the rescue helicopter would perform a number of low flyovers up and down the river as well as two winch operations both east and west of the Forgan Smith Bridge in the Mackay CBD.
“These type of winch operations are generally performed in the bush, on mountain tops or out at sea, so they aren’t often seen by the public,” Mr Rowan said.
The demonstration in the river was an opportunity to thank the community for their ongoing support of RACQ CQ Rescue through what has been a very challenging year for this region, he said.
“It’s also a chance to showcase the skills and talents of our rescue helicopter crew and their close working relationships with Volunteer Marine Rescue.”
Vantage points to view the demonstration include the Bluewater Quay and along the Bluewater Trail near Caneland Central.
VMR Skipper Don Bowden said three VMR vessels and volunteer crew would be involved in the demonstration including two rigid inflatables upstream from the Forgan Smith bridge and the large Mackay Rescue 5 vessel off Bluewater Quay.
Darryl the Dummy would ‘go overboard’ and be ‘rescued’ from the water with the locations being signaled to the helicopter crew by a smoke float and sea marker dye.
"VMR Mackay is very pleased to participate in this demonstration with RACQ CQ Rescue and it gives us the opportunity to show the general public what we do is exciting,” Mr Bowden said.
“We're always grateful to be able to refine the skills of our skippers and crew alongside the absolute professionals at CQ Rescue. This opportunity allows us to thank our members and business partners also by demonstrating some of the services their support lets us provide. It is also a great way to increase awareness for VMR Mackay."
VMR and RACQ CQ Rescue regularly trained together to hone the skills of the helicopter crew and marine rescue members to ensure an appropriate and timely response in the event of an emergency at sea, he said.
RACQ CQ Rescue has already completed 24 search and rescue missions this year, on average more than two a month.
Richglen Maintenance Services director Matt Borg said the company was incredibly proud to support the event and RACQ CQ Rescue as the service was invaluable to residents, workers and visitors across regional Central and North Queensland.
“While you hope to never find yourself in need of any kind of rescue on the water or over land, it’s very comforting to know that there are highly skilled and well-trained people in the air and on the sea who can help respond and assist if help is ever needed,” Mr Borg said.
While out voting on Saturday, grab a coffee and something to eat from a business in the City Heart and come and watch two great Queenslanders in action in our beautiful blue water river, he said.
“We are very proud to support this rescue demonstration as we are all fortunate to have two great not-for-profit organisations here in this region working together to ensure there’s always help available wherever and whenever it is needed.
“They are a lifeline when it’s really needed most.”
[ENDS]
) Rescue in the River, presented by Richglen Maintenance Services, is a helicopter winch and search and rescue demonstration by RACQ CQ Rescue featuring Volunteer Marine Rescue at 10.30am this Saturday.
Please credit any released photos and video footage to RACQ CQ Rescue.
Please note: Full title of rescue service is RACQ CQ Rescue.
For further information please contact:
Naomi Noy
RACQ CQ Rescue
Ph: 0417 578 182