THE Mollymook Surf Club's patrols, with the guidance of Surf Life Saving NSW South Coast Branch and the COVID-19 protocols, will look very different to the normal patrols..
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Club Captain Adam Woodward says the club's main priorities are the safety of our dedicated, fully trained volunteer lifesavers and the safety and wellbeing of the beachgoers, particularly those who do the right thing and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"We want to continue the club's outstanding record of 100 percent safety of swimmers between the flags," he said.
The new patrol setup on the beach is the red and yellow flags will show the safest part of the beach to swim.
The lifesavers will be observing the beach activity from the elevated clubhouse and radio control tower and this guarantees maximum COVID-19 protection for the lifesavers.
The lifesavers, fully equipped and mobile in the ATM with first aid, oxygen and defibrillator rescue boards, are able to respond in a couple of minutes to any situation.
The rubber duck is on the water's edge ready for action when needed to attend to issues along Mollymook Beach and between Conjola and Burrill.
Glenn Mathews still conducts the 24/7 emergency rescue service and the club's jet ski is maintained and ready to go.
Les O'Sullivan, the club's gear officer and radio operator ensures everything is in tip-top working order.
This season the club will be patrolling with 12 patrols, each with a maximum of six members including the radio operator.
With the current environment, there will be some changes in how things are done to comply with COVID -19 protocols.
Club Vice-Captain, Annette Chapman, says lifesavers are counting on common sense from the beach-going public in regard to social distancing.
"It is not our role to enforce the regulations, so please take care," she said.
"We look forward to seeing you all on the beach. How lucky are we?"
Meanwhile, Surf Life Saving NSW President, George Shales OAM says volunteers are well prepared to provide a safe environment for beachgoers.
"NSW is blessed to have beautiful beaches, with many of them patrolled by Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers and our 129 clubs," he said.
"We have invested significantly over time in member education and training to upskill our members and ensure our beaches are as safe as they can be, but we are also imploring the public to know their limits and to avoid placing themselves or their families in harm's way unnecessarily," the Surf Life Saving NSW president added.