2010 emergency evacuation exercise

2010 emergency evacuation exercise below:


2008 : scroll down



                                              “Ferry Rescue” ?!

One balmy mid-March Sunday morning, along with seven other invited volunteers, we boarded the ferry at 5.45.  All the ferry drivers were there, (after waiting for one un-named driver who would rather still be snug in his bed!) Their instructions from Ian were to help passengers to “safety” during our exercise, and “keep counting heads”.  We, the passengers, on the other hand, only had instructions to NOT do everything we were told by the ferry drivers … And we could be


. So the drama unfolded - the ferry stopped in the middle of the Straits.  Heads were counted - eight people and two dogs … or was that six people and one dog?  Two people went wandering off!  After finding them behind the cars for a look at the awaiting Coastguard, we were gathered up and shunted into a line under the lights on the car deck.  (Feelings of school detention consumed us!)

We were given life jackets and Mark expertly demonstrated how to put them on.  There was even a life jacket for the Labrador! “Ooh soo tight around my neck” so off it came!  Rob quickly persuaded me to put it back on with some help. “Now its tight!!!”
While waiting around for the Coastguard, one of the passengers decided it was time to light up a smoke … which was quickly squashed by a very astute ferry driver!  Another head count - seven people, two dogs.  Where did that “number eight” person go?  Found her up in the cabin - she just wanted to boil the kettle for a cuppa! …..“Its taking too long!”

The Coastguard arrives alongside the ferry.  All passengers were helped off the ferry on board the Coastguard boat via the side gate on the ferry deck.  “SPLASH!”  “MAN OVERBOARD”!  A flurry of excitement, two lifebuoys were thrown over, but he decided to swim for it! 
The Coastguard officer ushered us into the cabin as we edged over to rescue the man. Lifting him into the boat they found he was heavier than they first thought (must have been the wetsuit under his clothes!)  Another head count - seven people, two dogs and one soaked man. We were then asked to once again board the ferry.
 
That part of the Agenda over, time for- “The Ferry Rescue”.  This entailed a trial run by the Coastguard boat to “tow” the ferry.   It proved a bit of a hard task as black smoke billowing from the back was a dead giveaway!  Never fear the Police Boat was here - ‘No worries mate” moving the ferry with ease, proving its worth on our waterways.
The last stage of the exercise was to test “Ugly Betty”.  Ian called upon Jason, who dutifully followed his directions and pulled up beautifully at the front of the lowered ferry ramp, now wheelchairs are no longer a problem to rescue.

Job done! Everything went to plan with thanks to all involved, including the Paynesville Coastguard, the Water Police, the ferry drivers and our invited volunteers.
Off to the Wharf Café for a Breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon.


Thanks to Ian and crew for an exciting and entertaining Sunday morning.
…………  “But I just wanted to get the Sunday paper!”


















We thank Maggie Jones for her contribution
Anyone who wishes their photo removed Click here 
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                     June 2008

Ian Lewis conducted an emergency evacuation exercise.

The agenda is below.

It was deemed a success by all those who participated and the consensus was that the exercise should become a regular event.

Ian wants to thank all those who braved the early morning cold to take part in the project. As a thank you he took all participants to the Fisherman's Wharf for an early breakfast.
We should mention here that it was Jan Franz's "last " breakfast as she handed over Fisherman's Wharf to the new owner that afternoon
 
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