Throughout May and June, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard (AVCG) will be hosting the Club Marine “MAYDAY” appeal to raise funds towards critical activities such as safety patrols, monitoring, and search and rescue operations.
On May 2 May AVCG will be hosting a campaign launch day at Docklands Melbourne. The Club Marine "MAYDAY" campaign will run throughout the months of May and June. The public is welcome to attend.
AVCG is the premier maritime search and rescue organisation in Australia. With Flotillas in six states and territories, AVCG is responsible for countless rescues, assistance responses and monitoring. Beyond that, AVCG is a major provider of educational courses on topics such as boating safety and marine navigation.
AVCG is a completely volunteer based organisation. Each of its members donates their time, often in addition to working full-time. Volunteers often have the additional task of seeking funding for equipment, training and other resources to make their operations possible.
Ray Campbell, AVCG’s National Commodore says this is a great opportunity for the organisation. “A lot of people are surprised to hear that AVCG relies predominately on donations to operate throughout the year. We respond to distress calls all day every day via our 58 flotillas located around the country.”
The term “MAYDAY” is an international distress symbol used in marine and aviation operations. We’re all familiar with the term, but many of us are less familiar with the men and women who respond to these critical, and sometimes dangerous calls.
Coast Guard is now calling on the community and corporations to answer their call for help in supporting this worthy campaign.
Donations to the Coast Guard Club Marine “MAYDAY” appeal will greatly assist Coast Guard in providing on-going rescue and training services.