Eden’s new marine rescue crew mount daring rescue on first day

Eden’s new Marine Rescue crew have hit the water running after being called to rescue a sick crewman out at sea only moments into their maiden voyage. Find out how it happened here.

Eden’s new Marine Rescue crew had only just completed their training when in the early hours of the morning, the Far South Coast lifesavers were called out to rescue a sick crewperson, battling 3.5m swells under the rising sun.

The bulk carrier ‘Diawan Kalon’ had only recently left Eden on its voyage to New Zealand when one of its crew members became ill, forcing the ship’s captain to make an unscheduled return to port for the crew member to receive urgent medical attention.

Eden Water Police were scuttled to help unload the crew member under orange skies, with Eden’s new state-of-the-art marine rescue ship, the X30, and its new crew, being brought in to assist only months after the new boat was first delivered to Eden.

“As the rising sun coloured the southern skies, Marine Rescue Eden rescue vessel X30, with crew Guy Illy, Garry Thornton, Greg Madden, Tom Cousin, Fay Cousin, Roger Barson and Malcolm McConnell headed out to the Pilot Pickup Point at the entrance to Twofold Bay, about two nautical miles offshore,” according to Marine Rescue Eden.

While the weather conditions were favourable, a swell of around 3.5m made it difficult to transfer the ill crew member from the bulk carrier.

Eden’s new Marine Rescue crew had only just completed their training when in the early hours of the morning, the Far South Coast lifesavers were called out to rescue a sick crewperson, battling 3.5m swells under the rising sun. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

Eden’s new Marine Rescue crew had only just completed their training when in the early hours of the morning, the Far South Coast lifesavers were called out to rescue a sick crewperson, battling 3.5m swells under the rising sun. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

“The crew member was initially transferred onto the Eden Water Police vessel Falcon, with X30 standing by to retrieve anyone who might have accidentally fallen into the water during the tricky transfer,” according to Marine Rescue Eden.

“Falcon and X30 then moved to calmer waters where the crew member was transferred aboard the Marine Rescue Eden rescue vessel.”

The bulk carrier ‘Diawan Kalon’ had only recently left Eden on its voyage to New Zealand when one of its crew members became ill, forcing the ship’s captain to make an unscheduled return to port for the crew member to receive urgent medical attention.

Eden’s new Marine Rescue crew had only just completed their training when in the early hours of the morning, the Far South Coast lifesavers were called out to rescue a sick crewperson, battling 3.5m swells under the rising sun.

With the patient safely aboard the new vessel, the crew proceeded to the wharf at Snug Cove and to a waiting ambulance.

“Here the final transfer occurred, with the crew member assisted to the ambulance who transported him to the nearby Bega Hospital for treatment,” they said.

For the beginner crew, it was a job well done after months of hard work and training.

The new X30 marine rescue vessel arrived in Eden in December. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

On their Facebook page, Marine Rescue NSW said: “Congratulations to all the members of Marine Rescue Eden who have trained hard over the past few months to get themselves ready for this, their first call-out.

“Thank you too for the efforts of the trainers in helping them to achieve this significant milestone.”