ANNUAL BRAVERY AWARDS PRESENTATION

The awards, four Bronze Medals and one Certificate of Merit will be presented by His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, AC, CSC, RANR, Governor of South Australia at the investiture of awards within the Order of Australia and the Society.

The awards recognize:

• The rescue of a three people from drowning near Rapid Bay

• The rescue of a man from drowning in the River Torrens

• The rescue of 37 passengers and crew of the boat "Romance" washed onto rocks at Cape Cove, off Hook Island, Qld

Details of the rescues are attached.

THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA

CITATIONS FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RECIPIENTS - 2009/2010

BRONZE MEDAL

STEPHEN JAMES MARSHALL, of Normanville, SA

BRONZE MEDAL

PAUL AUSTIN BROWN, of Normanville, and;

BRONZE MEDAL

DEREK SAMUEL CRAIG, of Hallett Cove, SA, all volunteer members of SA Sea Rescue Squadron, in going to the rescue of three male family members from drowning near Rapid Bay, SA on 31 January 2009.

At 1pm the three family members with only one life-jacket launched their 3m aluminium dinghy to go fishing. Initially conditions were calm but at about 4pm a strong wind blew up. They started rowing to shore but the strengthening wind blew them further out to sea and the sea conditions worsened, causing them to ring 000 for help. The waves grew to 1.5 to 3m high, crashing over their boat which continued being pushed further out from shore.

The local police, having received the 000 call, contacted the Sea Rescue Squadron whose members, joined by Mr Craig, launched their vessel (SR5) in search. The sea conditions worsened, with 50-60 knot winds, 2-3m waves breaking over SR5 causing a white-out due to strong spray. Their radar was useless as the waves were higher than the rescue boat and the several mobile phones on board become progressively unserviceable. When SR5 was some 2kms from shore and the crew was becoming increasingly concerned at not finding the stricken dinghy they suddenly spotted the tinny and heard the cries for help.

One of the family in distress stood up to whistle and yell to SR5 as it came near but in doing so was thrown into the sea but managed to cling on. As SR5 approached, a large wave capsized the dinghy but all three occupants were able to be rescued.

SR5 then brought the survivors to shore, towing the dinghy.

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

MALIM GLEN WATTS, CFS Manager Operations Planning, aged 45 years, of Windsor Gardens, SA, in going to the rescue of a man who was drowning in the River Torrens, Adelaide, SA on 8 February 2009.

At 6.00am Mr Watts was at the Rotunda on the banks of the River Torrens when a man started running towards the Rotunda saying that a person had gone into the river fully clothed and swimming but had gone under the water and not resurfaced.

Mr Watts quickly ran to the scene, removed his clothes and shoes and jumped into the river. He repeatedly duck-dived into the dirty, opaque green water despite a pitch black sky and almost zero visibility in the water. After several minutes of doing this, he saw below a white flash, the swimmer's t-shirt. He carried the man's body from the bottom of the river to the surface and assisted SA Ambulance Service Paramedics in lifting the man's body from the water.

Unfortunately the rescued man could not be revived.

BRONZE MEDAL

JULIANNE SCHLIEBS, Doctor, EMQ helicopter rescue unit, of Flinders Park, SA, in going to the rescue of 37 passengers and crew of the twin-masted ketch "Romance" washed onto rocks at Cape Cove, off Hook Island, 100km NE of Mackay on 12 February 2008.

At about 7.30am the EMQ helicopter crewed by Messrs Pyers, Livingstone, Bryant and Dr Schliebs was deployed to the wrecked "Romance" and searched the scene where the sea state was 3-2m swells and winds blowing at 60-80kph. The current monsoon trough created at times a cloud base at 500 feet.

The twin masts of the ketch, which was wedged on jagged rocks and listing at a 45 degree angle were a hazard for winching operations. It was decided that winching from the vessel, rather than trying to bring the 37 people by rope from the ketch to the rocks was the practical and safe rescue procedure, so the rigging was cut to minimize dangers The 37stranded crew and passengers were briefed on winching procedures and for the next 2.5 hours they were despatched, two at a time up to the two helicopters.

CQ Rescue helicopter retrieved 20 of the passengers and the crew and the EMQ helicopter rescued 17.

(Please note that the crew of the CQ Rescue helicopter were recognised for their bravery in 2008 and that the other three crew members of EMQ helicopter rescue unit are to receive their awards at a presentation ceremony at Government House, Brisbane)