FAQS
Q. Do I have to attend an Information Evening
A. Yes. This is an opportunity for you to hear from the Batemans Bay Unit Leadership about the unit and understand the roles and commitment you are making when joining our unit.
Q. Are there any specific requirements to join?
A. For non-operational support roles, there are no specific requirements.
There are no formal experience or skills requirements for Operational Crew, but there are some physical requirements. You must be physically fit, with good vision (glasses/lenses allowed), good hearing, and the balance and agility to climb on and off moving vessels easily. To take our Sea Survival course, you are required to be able to swim 50m.
Q. What skills are you looking for?
A. Our team members come from many different walks of life. We have people who are or have been professional skippers, but we also have people who come to us with limited or no boating experience but bring unique life and professional experiences and skills. More importantly, our new members are great team players with enthusiasm, commitment and a drive to live our values in providing an essential service to the local community on and off the water.
Q. Do you accept everyone who applies?
A. While we would like to accept everyone, we sometimes cannot offer everyone a membership for various reasons. Therefore our face-to-face interviews or group presentation evenings will give you and the unit clarity on what is required of you before we offer a membership.
Q. Do I get a formal qualification?
A. Yes. After completing all the training and approximately 6 -9 months of refining your skills, you will take an Operational Assessment. On successful completion, you will attain your Rating. However, the time this takes will be determined by the number of training days you can attend.
Q. What does the training involve?
A. We start with an induction evening at the Batemans Bay base for your induction into Marine Rescue and our Unit. After this, you will be allocated to one of our Crew teams and commence your committed once-a-month crew weekends. You are encouraged to attend as many Crew weekends as possible, which will increase your training. Crew Trainees are rotated every three months through the different crews. During this period, you will also be nominated for courses such as First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation, Sea Survival and Fight Fires, and obtain your LROCP Radio and NSW Boat Licence.
Radio Trainees will complete the induction and join one of our Radio Watches to commence your committed once-a-week radio watch. You are encouraged to attend as many different watches as possible, increasing your knowledge and training. The Watch Officer will support you in completing your Workbook and Skills log, and once this is completed and you are endorsed as competent by the Watch Officer, they will make an application for your assessment.
Fundraising volunteers will undertake the induction processes and then be introduced to the Fundraising Coordinator. There is no formal training for fundraising; however, you can nominate for First Aid courses when vacancies are available.