JULES SMIBERT
INSHORE SKIPPER
JOINED VMR MARCH 2011
WHY DID I JOIN VMR?
I love being on the water but have never owned a boat. I wanted
to join a community service organisation as my kids were older, and
I had a little more time on my hands. I was considering The State
Emergency Service (SES) but heard about VMR from a friend early
in 2011. It sounded like a great way to combine several interests and
aspirations.
I’ve spent about 30 years employed in the international freight
forwarding industry, currently as a business development executive, so
VMR also gives me time to wind down after a busy work week.
WHAT DO I ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF
VMR?
I enjoy helping to provide a really worthwhile rescue service for
the Gold Coast’s boating community. The camaraderie with fellow
volunteers is also excellent. The added opportunity for learning,
gaining recognised marine qualifications, and being trained by
experienced and expert boaties, who freely give of their time to train
other volunteers, is also priceless
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE ACTIVATION YOU
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN?
A few years ago a 12 metre yacht lost its steering whilst
approaching the Gold Coast Seaway. The swells were significant and
the seas were rough. I was a crew member on Marine Rescue 1 when
we went to the aid of the two persons on board. We assisted them by
attaching a towline to their yacht, and then towed them back inside the
Seaway. It was a fairly routine tow in some respects but the conditions
made it quite serious and it was a very bumpy ride for those onboard
both the yacht and our Rescue vessel. Our Skipper had to use extreme
skill and experience to keep the speed up so that the yacht didn’t
broach in the Seaway entrance. The smiles on the yachties faces when
we got them back into calm water was all the thanks we needed.
4
Volunteer Marine Rescue SOUTHPORT
WHAT DO I DO IN MY SPARE TIME?
My family is very important to me. I have five adult kids, four
grandkids, four step kids and a VERY supportive wife, which is
imperitive if you want to spend time outside the family volunteering.
I’m an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and enjoy service opportunities in the Church community. I
also like reading biographies and modern history, especially military
history.
MY FUTURE INTENTIONS WITH VMR
As a fairly new Inshore Skipper with the Squadron, my next step
in my progression will be to gain an endorsement to Skipper of our
Rescue vessel Marine Rescue 4. I do have aspirations to be promoted
to Coxswain rank and with that being able to skipper Marine Rescue
2. Ultimately that has been my goal since joining. At this stage I don’t
necessarily aspire to Offshore Skipper rank but who knows how I
might feel in the future!