Progress
On Oct 10, 2020

Rescue fleet muscles up

The first Marine Rescue NSW super boat has arrived in Sydney as the emergency service introduces a new generation of larger, musclier rescue vessels to save lives on the water.

Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott handed over the new $850,000 rescue vessel to volunteers from Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking.

Botany Hacking 30 is a new model in the MRNSW fleet – a 12 metre Naiad – specifically developed to provide more power, faster acceleration, greater range and a smoother passage through the ocean chop and swell, along with more cabin and deck space.

It is the first of three big new Marine Rescue boats to be deployed in time for what is expected to be the busiest summer yet on the State’s waterways.The boats will be based in three prime boating destinations – Port Hacking, Jervis Bay and Lord Howe Island – in a $2.4 million investment in boating safety.

These are just three of 38 new rescue vessels the State Government is delivering to our volunteers as part of our $37.6 million funding boost to Marine Rescue NSW, which is also supporting the establishment of the first dedicated marine rescue service on Lord Howe Island.

MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos said the service expected a major spike in its rescue workload this summer.

“With overseas travel off the radar and interstate travel difficult, many more people are likely to holiday on the NSW coastline and push the boat out a lot more often than usual,” he said.

“Increased boating traffic means there will be a much higher risk of more boaters getting into trouble and needing our crews to return them safely to their families. These three areas are high priorities because they attract huge numbers of boaters.

“Last year, our Botany Port Hacking volunteers launched 175 rescue missions, including 23 in response to life-endangering emergencies and Jervis Bay crews deployed on 72 operations, of which 17 involved serious emergencies.

“Lord Howe Island is an incredibly popular boating destination for locals, tourists and transiting sailors. A super boat is definitely needed on these offshore waters.

“Boaters can be assured that our volunteers will be keeping watch throughout the boating season, ready to respond to emergencies along the length of the coastline and inland on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River and offshore around Lord Howe Island.”

Minister Elliott also handed MR Botany Port Hacking stalwart Ian Baker the clasp to his National Medal, signifying a remarkable 45 years’ volunteer service.

Built by Yamba Welding & Engineering on the NSW North Coast, Botany Hacking 30 is bristling with a full suite of the latest electronic search and rescue, navigation and communications technology and advanced first aid equipment, including oxygen and a defibrillator.

It is powered by three 325HP duo prop Suzuki outboards and is equipped with a crane for recovering people and hazards from the water and extra deck space for treating or reviving patients and for aero-medical crews to winch on to in serious medical emergencies.

The muscle boats’ larger size also expands their range, with the vessels able to travel between 250 and 350 nautical miles before refueling, extending the time that crews can spend at sea on large-scale search operations.

Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit Commander Noel Parkinson welcomed the delivery of the vessel for the unit’s offshore work.

“The extra size and power will be a tremendous asset to our crews, particularly when they are heading offshore in poor weather and large seas,” he said.

The new $850,000 Jervis Bay 40, constructed at Harwood Marine on the NSW North Coast, is scheduled to arrive on the bay in November.

Lord Howe 40, a former NSW Police Force vessel that has just undergone a $700,000 refit and facelift, will be deployed to the first offshore MRNSW unit as soon as COVID-19 restrictions allow.

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