The latest – and largest – addition to the Marine Rescue NSW fleet left Sydney early this morning for a major refit before its voyage to its new home base at the service’s first offshore rescue unit, on Lord Howe Island.
The 16 metre ocean-going vessel, the former Marine Area Command – NSW Police Force boat Fearless, is heading north up the coastline for the refurbishment before travelling to the small island.
Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey said MRNSW was establishing the first dedicated marine rescue capability on the island, 650km due east of Port Macquarie.
“Today’s voyage is an exciting step in the unit’s development,” he said.
“The boat will undergo a total refurbishment from top to bottom and will emerge as good as new. The Lord Howe Island community can now look forward to their new boat’s arrival in coming months.”
The monohull vessel has a range of 400nm and is powered by Caterpillar inboard diesel engines. It is today heading to Port Macquarie in a 10 to 12 hour voyage in favourable conditions for the refit, which will include new electronics and communications equipment and MRNSW livery. The crew on board is MRNSW Fleet Manager Kelvin Parkin and Greater Sydney Regional Operations Manager Glenn Evans, Sans Souci Water Police Senior Sergeant John Cox and Senior Constable Shane Steere and the inaugural Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island Unit Commander Jim MacFadyen.
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