link above

 I just heard on 94.5 about it and it is not good for down that way at all

         jeff

As Commander of Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue I was absolutely dumb founded when we were advised this yesterday. For the last 8 years we have had insurance cover through the government Risk Cover and claims have been paid out.

Some may ask why we are part of FESA. The easy answer is we will not be told by a government agency how to do something we have been doing for 40 years. FESA want to take control of our boats, buildings and operations. We have an agreement with the government to provide First Responce Marine rescue in the Metro are. This means we donot have to wait for permission to undertake a rescue. We just man our boats and do the job.

Hope to get it sorted by the weekend. If not you may see us protesting with our rescue boats in Freo. If you do come and support us.

Oh and don't breakdown or it could be a long wait for the Water Police to come and get you.

Mate I will be there in full support!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you guys do an amazing job and I can't believe what I'm reading.

they have no bloody idea! good luck fellas lets hope we can get this sorted out asap!

 These guys provide an invaluable service to the metro area and to strip them of their insurance is as good as taking their vessels off the water. Hopefully this gets knocked on the head before something serious happens. I launch from Hillarys and use Whitfords every trip and the guys there are fantastic. Good luck Iceman.

Another example of this poxy government trying thier best to f__k this country. The sooner we can vots these pricks out the better

Pretty disgusted. Well aware of empire building with FESA. VBFB (Volley Bush firies Brigades) went through the same stuff.

I just hope this doesnt turn around and bite them in the back side. Can just see FESA responsible for life lost at see due to .......... Another bush fire type situation waiting to happen.

Just let the Volunteer Sea Rescue services get on with their remarkable job. Why fix something thats NOT broke???

This only affects metro services. Country organisations are all under the fesa banner already.

Understand its FESA, people, not the government,.. they want to control VSR groups and have now played a game with lives. Sounds like a form of blackmail to me. doing what they can to force VSR group to fall in line with there systems and polices. ( FESA's track record don't look to great to me ).

I for one will back VSR, as I have little faith in the ability of FESA to control and manage a rescue at sea.

Ask this, Why are they trying to fix something thats working very well, with no problems?

Best of luck Iceman, let us know if you need some boats to protest, more than happy.

Lets just hope that this crap get sorted today.

How does this affect Rockingham Sea rescue ( VN6KC )? as I dont think they are linked to FESA??

 Glad to see the latest report that they have backflipped the decision - atleast temporarily.

Good on you Iceman for standing your ground - someone needs to do it. Exactly like was said in your position you need to be able to just get in the boat and go - not worry about all the FESA policies and red tape while someone is out there - life at risk.

As for those who are involved with Sea Rescue, you have my full support as well. I have just taken a deputy local manager role at the local SES unit, and the red tape with in FESA is getting worse. SES is going through a pretty rough time as well, having to fall in line with all these inquests and associated findings. I do agree with some of the changes and sharing resources etc, as I am not an old school SES person and don't believe there should be the huge separation between old school firies, ses and the likes.  I must admit though it must of been easier in the old school versions of these services and just be able to go and do your job. In the end BFRS, SES, VRS etc all compromise of volunteer members, and without those members the services would be non existent.

Another opinion I have for those members of these services who volunteer their time, should be eligible for some kind of tax break (after putting in so many hours a month maybe?). In the end we are the ones putting our lives on the line for the greater community, and spending our free time doing so. The other month I worked out I spent about 120 hours doing SES duties, on top of my 50-60 hour working week = that doesn't leave much time for family and fishing, and quite annoying when members of the public take it for granted.

I could keep writing all about it, but won't bore you all to tears. To the three VRS units affected by this I hope everything goes in your favour.

Cheers Tank

PS sorry about my spelling this morning - silly technological things called Ipads and their predictive text.

For new members they have to jump through the hoops because of insurance pruposes but when it came down to us older / senior members who have the time and experience on our hands they worked it out that most of us would fail a doctors physical examination leaving the group with 2-4 active personell

Únlike most metro groups where they have something like the 60-80 active  and 700 members like Two Rocks  have, we've got something like 20 active and about 60 members over all and over 70% of us are over 60

During the week there are usually two skippers who do call outs during working hours so we don't pull people out of work but after hours and on weekends its a juggling act with those who do shifts and those who are straight day work so that everyone gets a shot and keeps their hand in.

Wish we had that luxury Carnarvonite. No oldies to help out in hedland.

 Got that sorted. Just a young people's game up here. Our 2 skippers are 33 and 35.

Met with FESA officials last night and the only option they could come up with is that we are Gazetted unthe FESA act. This would mean giving them control. We have rejected it and advised them we will source our own insurance and they can pay for it.

Tomorrow the 3 rescue groups are meeting in Fremantle on the water around 10am. If you see us show you support.

Mark

Commander

WVSRG

keep us in the information loop as to what transpires will you please Mark

g"day guys just wondering if this crazy situation has been sorted yet?

The only option presented by FESA was to come under the FESA act. Effectively giving them control of our group. All three groups rejected this.

We are having to source our own insurance which the government said they would pay for. We are meeting with insurance brokers on Thursday to finalise the cover. Once quotes confirmed we will present to Minister Buswell to get an increase in funding to cover the cost of insurance.

Takes time as we need to ensure we have the rifgt cover for our personel and equipment.

Water Police were kept very busy last Saturday. I believe they had 8 vessels manned and could not keep up with the rescues

simply amazeing what transpires in these government departments 

I was a skipper with a NSW based sea rescue group for quite a few years and I can say with all sincerity that I sympathise with you guys and your struggle. The NSW groups used to exist under three different organisations and there was "empire building" and massive infighting between all of them. For years many of us urged the groups to unite under one banner, which in 2008, they finally did. They are now Marine Rescue NSW. What was the wash up of all this ?? The groups still retain ownership of their vessels (as is only right), and they also retain operational decision making. Unfortunately, the promise of increased government funding has failed to appear to date.

Now I know that the situation here in Perth is very different. FESA seems to be a corrupt white elephant and I can see no reason to come under their banner. As others have said, if it aint broke, don't fix it !!

what a crazy situation to be in. how could they possibly remove the insurance, asking for trouble if you ask me.