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Named in honour of Douglas William Wrembeck Douglas William Wrembeck, who was born in Toowoomba, Queensland on the 21st September 1936, joined the Queensland Police Force as a cadet on the 18th May 1953 and was appointed as a Probationary Constable on the 26th September 1955. He was sworn in as a Constable on the 16th January 1956 and appointed to the Roma Street Station. He initially served as a Constable until the 4th January 1957 when he was discharged. He was re-appointed a Probationary Constable on the 8th April 1957 and re-sworn in on the 6th May 1957 to be again attached to Roma Street Station. On the 11th November 1957 he was transferred to the Traffic Branch.
On the 28th September 1957 Constable Wrembeck married in Brisbane and later had three children. On the night of the 15th August 1962, 26-year-old Constable Wrembeck was performing motor cycle traffic patrol when he intercepted the driver of a motor vehicle on a traffic matter. While questioning the driver on the side of the road Constable Wrembeck was hit by a passing vehicle and later died of severe head injuries. The offending vehicle failed to stop but was located early the next morning after an extensive police search. The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Edward Meiklejohn, was arrested and charged with "Unlawful Killing Constable Wrembeck", "Driving Whilst Under The Influence Of Liquor" and "Failing To Remain At The Scene Of An Accident." On the 29th November 1962, Kenneth Edward Meiklejohn, 26 years, engineer's labourer, after pleading not guilty to unlawful killing, was convicted in the Brisbane Criminal Court of the lesser charge of dangerous driving. Mr. Justice Jeffriess sentenced him to six months gaol with hard labour. Qld Police Vessel "D.W.WREMBECK" - Gold Coast |
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D.W.WREMBECK I" - 1984
Senior Constables John Rice & Bill Christensen offshore Surfers Paradise
"D.W.WREMBECK I" - 8 metre Power Cat, glass reinforced epoxy resin catamaran powered by twin 225 h.p. outboard motors, manufactured by Power Cat Catamarans on the Gold Coast. Launched by Mrs Judith Wrembeck, widow of the late Constable Douglas William Wrembeck at Southport Yacht Club 1984. The "D.W.WREMBECK I" was powered by twin 225 h.p. Evinrude outboard motors. She had a cruise speed of 28 knots and a top speed of 40 knots. The "D.W.WREMBECK I" was surveyed for 2 crew and 6 passengers. She was purpose-built for the Gold Coast Water Police for search and rescue operations off the Gold Coast that involved crossing the notorious Southport Bar. The "D.W.WREMBECK I" was constructed in an open 'speed boat' configuration with a low profile, specially built windscreen that provided greater safety for the crew when operating in the broken white water of the Southport Bar. "D.W.WREMBECK II" - 11 December 1992
"D.W.WREMBECK II" - 8.2 metre Kevla Kat, glass reinforced epoxy resin catamaran powered by twin 225 h.p. Outboard motors, manufactured at Warana on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Launched on the Gold Coast by Mrs Judith Wrembeck, widow of the late Constable Douglas William Wrembeck on Friday 11 December 1992. At her launching the "D.W.WREMBECK II" was blessed by Father J. Simpson, Police Chaplain, Brisbane in the presence of the Honourable P. J. Braddy, MLA Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Commissioner J. P. O'Sullivan and South Eastern Regional Assistant Commissioner L. J. Pointing. The "D.W.WREMBECK II" was powered by twin 225 h.p. Evinrude outboard motors carrying 840 litres of fuel with a cruise range of approximately 250 nautical mile or 10 hours steaming. The vessel had a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 40 knots and was equipped with an extensive range of navigation and radio communication equipment. The "D.W.WREMBECK II" was purpose-built for search and rescue operations off the Gold Coast and had the latest safety and ambulance equipment fitted onboard, offering the community specialised treatment in emergency situations. The "D.W.WREMBECK II" was surveyed for 2 crew and 6 passengers, with her cuddy cabin capable of sleeping 2. "D.W.WREMBECK III" - 27 February 1998
Staff Gold Coast Water Police 27 February 1998 "D.W.WREMBECK III" - 9.9 metre Cougar Cat glass reinforced epoxy resin catamaran powered by twin 330 h.p., 7.4 litre, V8 inboard Mercruiser motors driving through Mercruiser Bravo 2 stern drive legs. Officially launched 27 February 1998 by Mrs Judith Wrembeck, widow and Constable Donna-Maree Wrembeck, youngest daughter of the late Constable Douglas William Wrembeck. At her launching the "D.W.WREMBECK III" was blessed by the Reverend Barry Walker, Police Chaplain, in the presence of the Honourable Russell Cooper MLA, Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Racing, Mr J.P. O'Sullivan, APM, Commissioner of Queensland Police Service and Mr G. L. Early, APM, Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Eastern Police Region. In late 2005 the "D.W.WREMBECK III" was transferred from the Gold Coast to Gladstone as the main lauch for the new Gladstone Water Police. The "D.W.WREMBECK III" was replaced on the Gold Coast by the "D.A.Shean". The "D.W.WREMBECK III" has a cruise speed of 22 knots with a top speed of 40 knots. She is fitted with modern navigation and radio communication equipment and is the first vessel in Queensland Marine Survey to be fitted with inboard petrol engines. The "D.W.WREMBECK III" was purpose-built for search and rescue operations and primary emergency medical responses and patient retrievals. She has the latest safety and ambulance equipment fitted on board, thus offering the community specialised pre-hospital care in emergency situations. She operates as a 'Class 1' Ambulance vessel. The "D.W.WREMBECK III" has a minimum crew of three consisting of two police officers and one Queensland Ambulance Marine Officer and is surveyed to carry 15 persons. The "D.W.WREMBECK III" has a cruising range of approximately 13 hours or 360 kilometres and carries 1000 litres of fuel. |
