Since 1996, the National Search and Rescue Council, which is made up of representatives from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and state and territory police services, has presented the Australian Search and Rescue Award to those who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to search and rescue.
This year’s award will be presented tonight (Thursday, 7 November 2013) at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Hobart as part of the 37th meeting of the National Search and Rescue Council.
The winners of this year’s Australian Search and Rescue Award are Sergeant David Cooper, Officer in Charge at the Lorne Police Station, and Nicholas Costello.
Both these men assisted in the rescue of a 12-year-old boy and the recovery of his father who were swept out to sea at St George River, near Lorne, on 9 March 2013. AMSA’s Emergency Response General Manager and National Search and Rescue Council Chairman, John Young, commended the men on their bravery.
“These men demonstrated great courage and heroism in saving this boy and doing all they could to try and rescue the boy’s father,” Mr Young said.
At around 12.30 pm on the day of the rescue, Mr Costello saw the boy was in trouble and swam out to help him. The conditions at the time were extremely rough and a strong riptide had formed.
“Mr Costello was then assisted by Sergeant Cooper who had been patrolling nearby and was alerted to the incident by radio,” Mr Young said.
“On arriving at the beach, Sergeant Cooper borrowed a surfboard, paddled out and with the help of Mr Costello put the boy on the surfboard and brought him to shore.”
After bringing the boy to shore, the men realised the boy’s father was missing after an attempt to rescue his son. Sergeant Cooper went back into the water and located the father with the assistance of the Lorne Surf Life Saving boat.
Three crew members of the Victorian Police helicopter were also commended at the awards for their role in rescuing a Russian solo sailor in rough seas approximately 110 nautical miles south east of Mallacoota in April this year.
Victorian Police Pilot Constable Peter Dillon and Tactical Flight Officers Leading Senior Constables Mark Weekly and Brad Pascoe were involved in winching the man from his stricken vessel and saving his life on 19 April. They were nominated by their Victorian Police colleagues and AMSA.
“These men demonstrated great courage in rescuing this solo sailor,” Mr Young said.
“The weather was so severe that three nearby merchant vessels were unable to get to the distress position. The helicopter operated at the limit of its endurance to reach the man and successfully winch him to safety.
“This was an admirable search and rescue and these men should be very proud of their efforts.”
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