For Nat, one ringtone can stop everything.
His phone is usually on silent, except for one emergency bypass tone: Help! by The Beatles.
“It scares the absolute life out of me every single time it goes off,” he said.
But when it does, there is no hesitation.
“Dinner can wait. The footy can wait. The movie can wait.”
Nat grabs his keys and heads straight for the car, where his MRQ uniform and boat shoes are always ready to go. On the drive to the boat, he is already thinking ahead what the job might involve, what the weather is doing, the safest way to respond, and who needs help.
This November marks three years since Nat joined Marine Rescue Queensland, starting out as a trainee crew member. These days, he is a skipper something he says might surprise people who assume he has always been a seasoned boatie.
“Most people are surprised to learn that I had very little boating experience before joining what was then VMR, now MRQ,” Nat said.
“I spent most of my time working out west in the mining industry, so everything I’ve learnt has come through the training, mentoring and experience I’ve gained since joining.”
Nat said the idea of volunteering had been in the back of his mind for years. As a former boat owner albeit limited experience and paid member of VMR Whitsundays, he used to follow the activation stories shared by skippers on MRQ Whitsundays Facebook.
“Thankfully, I never needed their assistance, but I always enjoyed reading the activation stories the skippers shared,” he said.
“Seeing the difference they made in people’s lives really inspired me, and I remember thinking, ‘That’s something I’d love to be a part of.’ I told myself that once I was settled up here and had the time to give back to the community, I’d join. When the opportunity came, I did, and I haven’t looked back.”
For Nat, being part of MRQ is about much more than boats and callouts. It is about people.
Whether it is a 2 am medical evacuation, an EPIRB activation, or helping someone who has simply run out of fuel, he says every job is a chance to make a real difference.
“Knowing that our crew can provide reassurance and support during what is often a stressful situation is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a privilege to be able to give back to the community in this way,” he said.
He is also quick to point out that no one does it alone.
When Nat arrives at the boat, the crew are there some with years of experience, others newer to the role, but all bringing something valuable to the team.
“That’s one of the best things about MRQ,” he said. “No one expects you to know everything. You’re surrounded by people who want to teach, support and back each other up.”
And while the work can be serious, some of Nat’s favourite memories come from the quieter moments in between sharing a late night snack in the cabin, having a laugh when things do not quite go to plan, and hearing stories about each other’s kids and grandkids. His favourite late night snack on the boat?
“Generally, whatever I can rummage around and find in our non-perishable snack box it’s nothing fancy, but it gets us through,” he said.
For Nat, the friendships built through MRQ are something special, and the reason he keeps coming back is simple.
One day, it could be you, your mate, your parents or your kids needing help on the water. And that is why, even though that Beatles ringtone still gives him a fright every time, he will always answer the call.
If you’re keen to learn new skills, give back to your community, gain nationally recognised qualifications, or simply find some new mates along the way, find out more about volunteering with MRQ.