October 4 - 10, 2015: Issue 234

 Submariner, sailor and boating safety advocate take out NSW Maritime Awards

 (L-R) 2015 NSW Maritime Medal recipients Captain Tim Swales (Community Medal), David Lyall (Community Medal), Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay and Peter Hunter (Safety Medal) on board the James Craig tall ship.

 Submariner, sailor and boating safety advocate take out NSW Maritime Awards: Captain Tim Swales and David Lyall

October 02, 2015

Minister for Maritime Duncan Gay today awarded this year’s Maritime Medals, recognising outstanding and sustained contributions to the boating community in NSW.

The awards were presented on board the historic tall ship James Craig on Sydney Harbour.

“I congratulate all of this year’s nominees, who were all of a high standard and showed extraordinary commitment to the boating community,” Mr Gay said.

“The 2015 finalists were nominated by their peers, selected by highly regarded members of the boating community and are all well-deserved.”

This year’s winners were Captain Tim Swales and Mr David Lyall in the community category and Mr Peter Hunter in the safety category.

Member for Manly Mike Baird congratulated Captain Swales from his electorate.

“Tim is a former Royal Navy submarine commander who has been Commodore of the Sydney Heritage Fleet since 1990,” Mr Baird said.

“The Fleet that Tim commands, is an internationally acclaimed, volunteer based organisation, dedicated to preserving and keeping an active service of impressive vessels of historic significance.”

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes was also proud of his local winner, David Lyall, who has been President and Commodore of Avalon Sailing Club where he has organised events and conducted training for people of all ages, including people with disabilities.

“David has also played leading roles and been a long-time advocate for safe, responsible and enjoyable boating through his volunteer work for Marine Rescue NSW and the Boat Owners Association.”

The third winner, Peter Hunter has been involved as a volunteer safety ambassador and advocate for safe, responsible and enjoyable use of personal watercraft (PWC) for more than 15 years.

Peter’s work has contributed to improved safety outcomes in PWC use in NSW, which includes a decline in fatal incidents statewide.

 David Lyall and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay

NSW Maritime Medallists for 2015

An annual award recognising outstanding and sustained contributions to the boating and maritime community by individuals or organisations.

Captain Tim Swales – Community Medal

Tim Swales is Commodore of the Sydney Heritage Fleet and Chairman of the Fleet Committee. He is also occasional Master of Lady Hopetoun and Waratah.

After 25 years of service in Britain’s Royal Navy, Tim retired in 1980 with the rank of Submarine Commander. In 1981 he joined the Sydney Heritage Fleet and was appointed Commodore of the Fleet in 1990. His enormous contribution to the Fleet was recognised when he was voted an honorary life member. He holds the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and the International Submarine Silver Service Medal recognising his 25 years of service as an officer in the Royal Navy.

Tim oversees all aspects of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, including the conduct of investigations. In this role he displays all the qualities of an exemplary leader – quiet calmness, level-headedness, depth of knowledge of rules on the water as well as skill and willingness to sacrifice personal time for service to the Fleet. He is a well known and highly respected leader whose knowledge and guidance are invaluable to the NSW boating community.

Right: Captain Tim Swales and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay

David Lyall – Community Medal

David Lyall has been President and Commodore of Avalon Sailing Club and is also a Life Member. At the club he manages and organises sailing for all ages from junior starters to mature veterans. As Principal of the Club’s Training Establishment he trains people of all ages in all forms of watercraft, rescue and boat handling, first aid, treatment of hypothermia, rope skills and maritime weather awareness.

Right: David Lyall and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay

He has also been Vice President and Director of the Boat Owners Association of NSW and an instructor and examiner for the Australian Yachting Federation on yachting, sailing and power boat handling.

David is well known for a life-long dedication to the promotion of safe and responsible boating. He has also helped many people with disabilities enjoy the waterways in his work with Sailability Pittwater and in creating an apparatus to lift wheelchairs into Sailability vessels. He is also a volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW.

Peter Hunter – Safety Medal

Peter Hunter has been involved as a volunteer in the personal watercraft community (PWC) for over 15 years. He takes a leadership and mentoring role in the Australian PWC community particularly in the ACT and NSW. He is known to take new riders under his wing and teach them about safely navigating the waters.

Right: Peter Hunter and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay

Peter assists the PWC racing community through his continued involvement in the Australian Jet Sports Boating Association. He promotes organised racing as a way of addressing anti-social behaviour and raising awareness of waterway etiquette. He always encourages safe riding and the use of safety equipment.

Peter has also participated in the development of the NSW PWC educational material and assists boating safety officers in Sydney and the South Coast in a voluntary capacity.