22 October 2010

Police wrap - 22 October 2010

| johnboy
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1. A solution in search of a problem:

ACT Policing has put its newly acquired jet skis to skilled use in the rescue of a canoeist stranded and in distress on the banks of the Molonglo River on Sunday afternoon (October 17).

About 5.10pm, the 23-year-old male contacted ACT Policing stating he was in difficulty at the southern end of Molonglo River. The male had taken his canoe out on the river to an unfamiliar and isolated location. Due to a change in the weather, strong westerly winds prevented him from returning to where he had begun his journey.

Based on the description of the locale, SRS-Water Operations officers were able to identify where he was stranded and decided the best response, considering a nearby submerged pipeline and the narrowing of the river at the male’s likely location, was to use the team’s newly acquired jet skis.

Upon police arrival, the male appeared cold, tired and distressed however, was not injured. The jet skis were used to convey the male and his canoe back to his vehicle. Due to his level of exhaustion and limited experience, police do not believe the male would have been able to extricate himself from his isolated location prior to nightfall.

“This was an example where our jet skis were the best equipment for this rescue task,” Water Ops Sgt Warren Williamson said.

“The speed at which we could deploy our craft into a restricted area, its ability to manoeuvre close in to shore, and its dual role as a tow craft while able to carry an extra passenger made it ideal for this rescue.

“There’s no doubt these watercraft will be a very useful addition to our fleet over the coming summer months.”

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I think the event was more of a “YAY! we got to play with our jetskis and make it look like they were worth the money!”

I await news of the first Police Segway rescue.

ConanOfCooma3:02 pm 22 Oct 10

“Hey Steve, we got the new jetskis in! But we can’t use them unless there’s an emergency!”

“We’ve got a kayak and a drunk from Queanbeyan out back – I’m sure we can think of something…”

*scratches chin* So what you’re saying is that the Police are giving free jetski rides? Perhaps I might accidentally fall from the Kings Avenue bridge sometime.

Close Captain RAAF.. but the foyer of DSD is up SH*T Creek, this guy was long on the Molonglo

Captain RAAF1:15 pm 22 Oct 10

a ‘restricted’ area? Where was this canoeist stranded, in the foyer of DSD?

thank god for the jet ski, surprised they didn’t deploy the helecopter and maybe the harley davidsons as well

Interesting. I was out on the Molonglo in a K1 flatwater kayak 2 weeks ago and the wash from these skis when they went past almost made me the recipient of a rescue!

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