Keeping local waters safe

ALEX Mathieson was a volunteer in the Wollongong Coastal Patrol for thirty years until it was closed down recently and has since then moved on to volunteer with the Wollongong Coast Guard.

Every second weekend Mr Mathieson, of Woonona works nine-hour days, Saturday and Sunday, alongside a dedicated crew to help sailors who have got themselves into trouble in the waters along our coast.

"Last time I was out one bloke lost the steering on his boat at Stanwell Park and another guy's boat washed up on the beach and we towed it off," he said.

Mr Mathieson said that there are no standout rescues in his memory because all of the work the Coast Guard do is extraordinary.

He said that the Coast Guard has to be constantly ready for anything because there is no way of telling when a bad day will come along.

"Sometimes we're just quie," he said. "Sometimes we might get four or five rescues in one hit, one after the other. You cant judge whether it's going to be a busy day or not.

"The crew I've got are a good crew, and they know what they're doing," he said.

Mr Mathieson said that the Coast Guard keeps him active and gives him a chance to help people.

"It keeps me occupied and keeps me going all the time," he said.

"I was born on the coast and I like the water and I like the coast.

"I was born and breed near the sea and I enjoy helping people," he said.

Mr Mathieson was honoured in this year's Seniors Awards for his long service to the Coastal Patrol.

Despite his long service Mr Mathieson has no plans to retire from the Coast Guard saying he enjoys being able to help the wider sailing and boating community.