David Hall speaks about a sense of belonging, being a member of a team and doing something important for the community when he talks about being a volunteer with Ulladulla's Marine Rescue unit.
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David has been part of the organisation since 2012 and has been unit commander for six years.
He is proud to volunteer for the organisation.David has been a diver and fisherman for nearly all his life and volunteering for marine rescue was a good fit.
"When I retired I thought it would be good to put something back into the community," he said.
"I was also interested in navigation and the more technical side of boating."
He also wanted to help people.
Being a skipper of a rescue vessel David had had the chance to help many people over the years."It can be quite emotional," he said about a successful rescue.
He was recently at the base when three people were safely brought to land after their yacht hit a sunfish and sank.
"Their gratitude towards me and the crew was very heartwarming," he said.
David and his fellow volunteers are always prepared to offer anyone advice on boating safety.
"Our messages are always log on with marine rescue, wear your lifejacket and a more minor one like making sure you maintain your vessel."
Keep an eye out for our in-depth boating safety story with the unit commander - he gives us some great advice.
The Ulladulla base has 85 volunteers but always welcomes new crew members.
The group has all sorts of roles that people can take on.
People can man the radios help with fundraising help clean the base.
"We are always grateful," he said about any role a volunteer might take on.
"I like to look at us as a club. We have our serious side obviously but other than that we have fun with things like trivia night, bowling nights and we go on river cruises.
"We are all on the same pay grade," he joked.
To contact the group about being a volunteer go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/MRNSWulladulla or www.marinerescuensw.com.au.
He added their training was really intense for the boats and radio aspects.David goes on to explain why more people should volunteer with the organisation.
"If you are looking for something to do in your life and if you want to be part of a group that is looked upon well in the community - then we are here," he said.
The unit commander said the shopkeepers and the local businesses in the region like having the Marine rescue volunteers around.
"They like us because we this a make this a safe place, well as safe as we can, for visitors to come down and enjoy the beach and the rocks and the fishing outside," he said.
'"We rescue people who have been washed off the rocks and blown out to sea as well.
"I think we are good for the community as a whole.
"So come down here and you will meet a lot of people from all sorts of walks of life.
"Some people who have never had anything to do with the sea can all of a sudden find themselves a rescuer on a boat or helping out on the radio."
He added post-rescue support is always available.
