Portrait of a VMR
Volunteer
CRAIG MALONEY
INSHORE SKIPPER ENDORSED
JOINED VMR - AUGUST 2012
WHY DID I JOIN VMR?
For a long time I was a member of a Surf Club, and I had a great
interest in inshore rescue and jet boats. There was something about
being on the water and the power of those boats, and helping people,
that never left me. So, in 2012 after procrastinating for a few years I
became a member of VMR Southport. My first contact was Offshore
Skipper Alan Curtis, and despite this I have never looked back. In
this time I have met some incredible people, a few I would rate as the
most inspirational I have come across in my lifetime. One of the most
enjoyable characteristics of VMR is the passing on of knowledge to
all members. I have not yet come across any person in VMR that isn’t
willing to pass on their skill or knowledge to others. I can only hope
to carry on that commitment too, and help whoever I can, whenever I
can.
WHAT DO I ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF
VMR?
If you have ever owned a boat, or been a passenger on a friends
boat, then you know that it is only matter of time before trouble
strikes. There is no better feeling than helping a young family that
have motor problems a long way from the boat ramp, and having to
assist them to get home. Offshore work is still also a great buzz for
me, the vessels requiring assistance are usually larger, and the greater
the size of the swell increases the challenge. When you cross the
Seaway and know that everyone is safe, the blood pressure certainly
calms down.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE ACTIVATION YOU HAVE
BEEN INVOLVED IN?
My first ever assist is the one I will always remember. We
were tasked to assist and tow a vessel from Carters Basin to the
Marine Stadium. Being all new to me, it was easy to see that the
circumstances surrounding this job were ringing alarm bells for the
more experienced crew members. We departed the VMR Base to
arrive at a vessel that was barely floating. Not only that, there was no
motor, no steering, or no windows on the vessel. A bloke in his early
twenties who was obviously struggling in life was aboard with his
three dogs. After doing the job and completing the paperwork, the man
advised he had no money, but would be happy to offer another form
of payment if the people at VMR liked fresh prawns. The man was a
deckhand on a prawn trawler and was only too happy to offer some of
his previous nights catch. ‘ What time to you finish ‘ he asked? Within
an hour, the man turned up at the VMR Base with a bag of the nicest
king prawns you have ever tasted. This job was a classic case of never
judge a book by its cover, and its a job that always makes me smile
whenever I eat a king prawn.
10
Volunteer Marine Rescue SOUTHPORT
WHAT DO I DO IN MY SPARE TIME?
Outside of VMR l enjoy playing golf. I have the idea I am Tiger
Woods. I wear a red shirt each game, but have the skill of a hacker.
I like hitting one golf ball out of a hundred straight done the centre,
which gets me back each week. When you have your own business,
big or small, it has to be a part of your life, or it will fail, so I suppose
this makes it a passion. When not at work or VMR I have an old
Bay Cruiser. It is a work in progress, which all boats are, and I enjoy
spending time on it, just not the work part. I go on her with a paint
brush and the best intentions, but don’t often let work spoil a good day
on the water?
MY FUTURE INTENTIONS WITH VMR?
I still remember coming home from my final assessment to become
an Inshore Skipper, sitting back having a beer and saying, ‘ Bloody
hell Craig, after all these years you have finally done it ‘. I am now on
my way to training for my Coxswain ranking. I hope one day to join
the select crew of Offshore Skippers. I have also recently joined the
Management Committee, and early on in my time there I am getting
up to speed on how things work, and settling in on my appointed role.
Where I go onto from here, we will see.
To any person reading this and thinking maybe I shall join one day.
Today is the day .I learned more in my first shift on Crew than I had
in the last twenty odd years on the water. I could never have imagined
meeting so many knowledgeable people, who enjoy passing on their
skills, and their time so freely, to help the Squadron and the boating
public.