ON 11 February 2022, Marine Rescue Commissioner Stacey Tannos had the honour of attending New South Wales Government House for the awarding of bravery awards by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC Governor of New South Wales to members of Marine Rescue Port Stephens.

Marine Rescue Port Stephens Coxswain Laurie Nolan received the Star of Courage in recognition of his conspicuous courage in the face of great peril as the crew of rescue vessel Port Stephens 40 battled 50 knot winds and 5-6m seas to save disabled racing yacht M3.

Fourteen other members of the unit received national Bravery Medals for their service to the community in the M3 mission and a series of other operations in wild conditions on January 6 and 7, 2016, including responding to five Maydays and searching for a lost yachtsman.

Awarded the Bravery Medal were Noel Corcoran, Ian Drummond, Michael Duggan, Suzanne Freeman, David Jack, Ken Johnson, Ron Lighton, Peter Merlino, Tom Miller, Richard Pizzuto, Michael Smith, Paul Sullivan, Eryl Thomas and Nigel Waters.

“Congratulations from Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage to members of Marine Rescue Port Stephens for being officially recognized for brave and extremely dangerous work as well as some significant behind the scenes work,” a representative from Marine Rescue NSW Said.

In all, a total of 22 Watch and Crew Members from Marine Rescue Port Stephens received various Marine Rescue awards for their efforts, with seven awards of a Commissioner’s Citation for those members in the Radio Room during the operation; fourteen awards of a Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage for Boat Crew involved in the numerous sorties over the two days and the award of the Medal for Valour to Laurie Nolan.

Congratulations to all of these volunteers.

 

By Tara CAMPBELL