Jurien Bay Marine Rescue & Geraldton Fire Station’s Martin Sellar win at WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards

Braving wild weather and risking their own safety to save the crew of a capsized yacht has earnt the Jurien Bay Marine Rescue a prestigious accolade for the second year running.

The volunteers of Jurien Bay Marine Rescue won the team achievement award at the 2023 WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards announced over the weekend.

The group’s bravery and perseverance during the mission in May 2022, which unfolded after a 1am distress call, was recognised and applauded.

The Marine Rescue crew braved gale-force winds and dangerous swell to rescue three crew members of a yacht that had capsized eight miles from shore.

The rescue vessel was being pounded by waves, as skipper Mick Cockburn expertly manoeuvred close to the capsized yacht so commander Chrissy Heu could throw a life ring to the last person on board.

The judges found “the successful mission was underpinned by the crew’s courage, calmness under pressure and extensive marine training”.

Jurien Bay Marine Rescue won the same award last year for the successful rescue of five people in May 2021, including a father and his 11-year-old daughter.

Martin Sellar, from Geraldton Fire Station, won the career fire and rescue service individual achievement award for developing an impressive training resource.

The training package, developed last year, allows entry control officers — whose role it is to monitor the safety of teams coming in and out of burning structures — to build and maintain the skills needed to keep firefighting crews safe. The interactive eLearning resource uses scenario-based videos to provide realistic scenarios to users, making them feel like they are experiencing a real-life incident.

The WAFES Awards honour the achievements of groups and individuals working and volunteering on the frontline for our invaluable emergency services.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the winners had gone above and beyond to protect their communities.

“This year’s winners should feel incredibly proud of their achievements and service to our community,” he said.

In the marine rescue field, 39 groups covering more than 10,000km of coastline in WA responded to 1755 incidents last financial year.