TMRS praises community response

THE Torquay Marine Rescue Service (TMRS) have praised the community for alerting emergency services about what was believed to be a missing swimmer in rough conditions last week.

The swimmer, who was said to have been last seen off Torquay’s back beach at 5.30pm on January 5, was reported missing about 90 minutes later, and the TMRS then deployed at the request of Water Police.

TMRS Commodore Adam Stephens said the TMRS sent out two jet skis with experienced team members on board to handle the swell, with support from other members at their base and on land, as well as assistance from helicopters from firstly Ambulance Victoria’s HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) and then the Victoria Police Air Wing.

The search attracted considerable community interest, with a crowd of people observing the various agencies’ efforts from the overlooking cliffs.

Mr Stephens said TMRS cleared the water at about 8.40pm because of the fading light, but the three swimmers were found on land and not in distress at about 9pm.

“Basically, the group of swimmers were very experienced swimmers and very capable, they got wind of what was going on and realised they would have been in the water at about that time, so they approached emergency services and said it was likely it was them, and we were able to be satisfied that it was.”

He thanked the swimmers for coming forward and allowing the search to be called off.

“We certainly want people to go out and enjoy themselves in the water regardless of the conditions, provided they’re playing within their capabilities, and that’s going to be different for everyone.”

Mr Stephens said people should phone Triple Zero (000) immediately in the first instance if they were ever concerned about the safety of people or vessels in the water.

“Don’t hesitate, call Triple Zero, let us know, because then we can deploy immediately and we can get out there and confirm that people are okay, or even just make phone calls to check that it’s not someone that we know is going to be paddling or swimming in those conditions.

“It’s much easier to write it off when you know about it straight away.

“No-one’s going to get criticised for calling Triple Zero, and certainly no-one’s going to get criticised for coming forward and saying ‘I think it might be us’ – it might be you, but it might not be you.”

Last week’s deployment was, at that point, the fourth time TMRS had been called out since the start of 2022.