Chopper back to the rescue

12.05.2010

Almost a decade ago, the
Sunshine Coast lost the
designated Surf Life Saving
Queensland helicopter because
we were "ahead of our time".
Now we've finally caught up
again, and that iconic red and
yellow blur will once more
streak above our beaches.
SLSQ announced a new
helicopter service for the Coast
after Westpac designated more
funds to the lifesaving group.
And with our climbing tourist
numbers and population, an
eye in the sky is exactly what
we need.
When asked what it meant
for our beach-goers on the
Coast, Lifesaving Services
manager George Hill didn't
water down its importance.
"It means a hell of a lot for
public safety," he said. "And
it's a great morale boost for
our lifesavers, too."
Mr Hill said the chopper
would fly at least 250 hours a
year, on weekends, public
holidays and during school
holidays, and its roving eye
would cover waterways from
Bribie Island to Rainbow
Beach.
"The ultimate service is the
red and yellow flags but people
go into areas they shouldn't,"
he said.
"This is an eye in the sky
that looks at the big picture.
"Its role is surveillance, then
rescue and it can warn of
hazards, dangers, even
dangerous marine life.
"The helicopter overlaps our
work and can advise our
captains of issues."
When our previous
lifesaving chopper was
withdrawn about seven years
ago, SLSQ used that saving to
build up our rescue ability by
funding jet ski patrols and
improved equipment.
Now our swimmers and
surfers will have a more
comprehensive coverage.
"The helicopter will patrol
from the September school
holidays until the May Labour
Day weekend and it also means
that young lifesavers can see
another career path," Mr Hill
said.
"It's been a journey for me. It
was a very sad day when we
lost our helicopter."
The helicopter, which will fly
up from Karara for patrols and
be housed on the Coast on
weekends, can also be tasked
to other emergencies.
Council lifeguards services
manager Scott Braby said the
service would provide
"additional eyes in the sky".
"It will increase surveillance
communications to lifeguards
and lifesavers by making us
aware of rips or people in
hazardous areas, marine
creatures like sharks and so
on... they will assist us in
emergency situations as well,"
he said.
"We are fully supportive and
will work alongside them."
Mr Braby said volunteer
lifesavers wrapped up their
patrols on the weekend and
council lifeguards would now
patrol major beach locations in
winter, from 7.30am to 4.30pm.