WHY DID I JOIN the AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEER COAST GUARD?
Greg Searle
NF-01 PORT JACKSON FLOTILLA
Why did I join the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard?
I retired from the Defence Department in 2004 after nearly 30 years service
in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) including exchange
assignments overseas, representation on international collaborative panels
and periods at sea, and in the air, as a civilian observer with the Australian
military forces.
I am currently working part time under contract to DSTO on projects involving
maritime systems analysis and the mentoring of less experienced staff members.
Following
retirement my wife, Violetta, and I bought a motor cruiser that we use regularly
for fishing, camping and general recreation on and around Sydney Harbour.
We keep our boat at Drummoyne where we became aware of the services offered
by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, including associate membership,
seamanship training, boat licence testing and marine radio certification.
With newly licenced Vi assuming the role of "Master and Commander", I have
come to appreciate the value of AVCG training in navigation and crewmanship.
In response to the flotilla's call for assistance with the radio service
I decided to become a mid-week radio officer at South Head Signal Station
where I can generally be found on Friday mornings. I also act as the flotilla
Statistics Officer and this gives me the chance to turn numbers into pictures,
plotting the development of the Flotilla.
My wife and I enjoy being involved with like-minded people at Coast Guard,
willing to help with a valuable and cherished volunteer community service
network, learning new safe boating skills and applying old ones from past
endeavours.
Being in the right place at the right time to provide assistance to fellow
boaties in unfortunate situations never fails to provide a buzz.
Greg Searle