Coast Guard vital to community

A delicate search and rescue could have ended a lot worse if it wasn't for the heroic efforts of our local Coast Guard volunteers.

It's time we commend our local water heroes and support them like they do us. Picture: Stuart Cumming

A DELICATE search and rescue that ended with a seven-year-old boy fighting for his life in hospital could have ended a lot worse, if it wasn't for the heroic efforts of our local Coast Guard volunteers.

A frantic cry for help from fisherman Maike Hohnen - "Coast Guard Mooloolaba, Coast Guard Mooloolaba” - was heard over the radio call to the Coast Guard before the search and rescue mission unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning.

They were the last words heard over the radio from the missing trio. Their vessel sunk soon after.

The Coast Guard volunteers got the call straight away and quickly alerted water police, which would never have happened if they didn't have a radio operator on shift.

"But we have one 24/7, 365 days a year,” flotilla commander Rod Ashlin told the Daily.

These volunteers work around the clock to keep our community safe.

Funded by little more than sausage sizzles, the retirees making Sunshine Coast waters safe deserve much more recognition for their tireless efforts.

The volunteers receive professional training and rigorous assessment in survival-at-sea training and compliance with all maritime safety rules.

They provide a radio lifeline for boaties and respond to calls in all weather, at all times of the day or night.

In spite of the service provided, it receives minimal government finance and is largely self-funded, continually struggling to finance the operation.

It's time we commend our local water heroes and support them like they do us.