Voyage to sea for volunteers

Five local firefighters have been rewarded for the efforts they made during the bush fire crisis which swept the country over summer.NSW Rural Fire Service Federation Zone Captain Greyd’n Davis and firefighters Phil Selman, Riley Nolen, Tamara Graham and Lauren McAndrew were all selected in a ballot to take one of three free cruises offered to front line emergency service volunteers.Capt Davis said he was also lucky enough to score a space on the cruise for his wife, Karen.Offered by Royal Caribbean and cruising Australian waters only, Capt Davis said everyone on board was ‘‘thankful for the experience’’.‘‘The cruise was put on for all of those volunteers who gave up their summer to respond to the bush fires earlier this year,’’ he said.‘‘It was very generous of Royal Caribbean to put it on, and I thought it was terrific.‘‘It was fantastically received by all the volunteer first responders that contributed so much with little respite from September through to late January, protecting their own communities and then soldiering on to protect life and limb for other areas.‘‘It was one hell of a summer for volunteer firefighters, so this wonderful, kind gesture means so much.’’On board, passengers were also treated to complimentary food and drink services and were given the ‘‘full cruise experience’’.‘‘The food in the dining room and buffet room was all free, as well as complimentary drinks to go with it,’’ Capt Davis said.‘‘All the activities on the ship were all made free including the dodgem cars and laser tag; I’m a laser tag fan myself so that was fun.‘‘I dare say lots of people would want to head out and go again.‘‘If it wasn’t for the attractions and pools it would be just like a giant floating RS Club.’’The cruise ship, Spectrum, was scheduled to dock around China throughout March but never made it due to the Coronavirus outbreak.With a freed up schedule, a fully stocked cruise ship and a virus-free crew, Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president of international Gavin Smith opened it to volunteers.‘‘It worked out really well. Because the ship pulled away from China before ever docking all the crew on board escaped infection from Coronavirus,’’ Capt Davis said.‘‘That meant it was safe for all of the volunteers to head on, and this was before any confirmed cases were in Australia.‘‘The cruise ship went about 40km up and down the coast and circled around for three days. We never left Australian waters.‘‘The other four local RFS members really enjoyed it as well, and deserved it immensely after the big effort they put in at the Green Valley Fire at Jingellic.’’