Marine Rescue Ballina volunteers honour Frank Petsch and Bill Ewen at beach ceremony

Marine Rescue Ballina volunteers gathered on the shore of South Ballina Beach today to honour fellow crew members Frank Petsch and Bill Ewen, who lost their lives during a rescue mission earlier this month.

In a private ceremony, volunteers floated flowers left at the Marine Rescue Ballina tower into the ocean as a tribute to the two men, who died while responding to a vessel in distress on Monday, May 4.

 

 

Marine Rescue NSW Ballina unit commander Peter Hill said the ceremony was an important moment for volunteers, families and the wider community.

“The tragedy has been felt across the world,” he said.

“In Australia, we’ve been uplifted by the personal video message from the Governor-General, emergency services, members of parliament and Marine Rescue NSW units across the state.

“The impact has been staggering.”

 

 

Hill said the support from the Ballina and Northern Rivers community had helped volunteers through an incredibly difficult period.

“In Ballina and the Northern Rivers region, we have been overwhelmed by the love, goodwill and offers of help from our community,” he said.

“The beautiful flowers laid at the tower and on the wall, with their kind words, have touched our hearts.

“The cheerful poster from the Biala schoolchildren made us smile.”

 

 

Hill said messages and images left at the tower would be shared with the families of the two volunteers.

“We will ensure that the families themselves see the messages of condolence and imagery of the floral tributes, hoping that it may comfort them in the difficult times ahead,” he said.

 

 

One crew member remains in hospital, while two others who were injured in the incident were released over the weekend and are continuing to recover at home.

The family of Frank Petsch also released a public statement thanking the community for its support.

“Frank was larger than life to many people, but at home he was exactly the same … he made us laugh constantly,” the statement read.

“He was solid, intelligent and supportive, and the person who was always there when he was needed.”

 

 

The family said they had been deeply moved by the messages, flowers and support received since the tragedy.

“We haven’t yet finalised arrangements for a funeral or memorial, but we will share that information once we have,” the statement read.

“We also appreciate the care you have taken to respect our privacy at this time.”

Marine Rescue Ballina thanked Cherry Street Sports Club for its ongoing fundraising efforts to support the unit following the tragedy.