Twelve members from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie had an experience of a lifetime aboard the tall ship, Coral Trekker.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The tall ship sailed from Sydney, with stops at Broken Bay, Refuge Bay and Port Stephens, before arriving at Lady Nelson Wharf on Friday (April 9) to celebrate the Port Macquarie-Hastings bicentenary.
The 12 Marine Rescue Port Macquarie members, who undertook training ahead of the journey, were active crew members.
Natalie Welsh summed up the Coral Trekker experience as "totally amazing."
She said it was unique to be on the tall ship.
"The voyage from Sydney to Port Macquarie, and spending such a long time at sea, and the challenges of that as well, kind of takes you back to the early days of Australia in a way," Ms Welsh.
She also appreciated the camaraderie and the chance to enjoy the moment after the busy time during the floods.
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit commander Greg Davies said the experience was about seamanship and teamwork.
"It's not just about sailing - it's about living together [aboard the tall ship] and working together," he said.
The Coral Trekker is a 23-metre, square-rigged, wooden tall ship with distinctive rusty red sails.
The tall ship will be moored at Lady Nelson Wharf until April 18.
People can experience a lunch or dinner cruise, or enjoy a one hour sail trip on the Hastings River.
TAFE maritime operations students will complete the practical component of their course as the tall ship becomes a floating classroom.
Mr Davies said Port Macquarie was a traditional shipping port and the Coral Trekker's visit would bring back the nostalgia and history of tall ships coming in.
What else is making news?
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark our website
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
You can support us with a subscription
Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews
Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews
Follow us on Google News