The premier rescue vessel in the Marine Rescue NSW fleet underwent sea and crew trials off Port Macquarie today, ahead of its new operational deployment as the first dedicated rescue vessel on Lord Howe Island.
The former NSW Police launch Fearless, the 16m vessel has recently undergone a $700,000 refurbishment and refit in readiness for its new career under the MRNSW banner.
The largest vessel in the MRNSW fleet will be delivered to the new Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island unit – the service’s 45th unit and its first offshore – later in the year.
Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams today inspected the newly-refurbished vessel with founding Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island Unit Commander Jim McFadyen and MRNSW Fleet Manager Kelvin Parkin.
“This vessel represents a significant investment in the safety of Lord Howe Island’s many local and visiting sailors and boaters and the volunteers who will operate on board,” Mrs Williams said.
“Lord Howe 40 has recently undergone an extensive refit and facelift at Birdon Marine here in Port Macquarie, thanks to an investment of more than $700,000 by the NSW Government.
“This is part of the $37.6 million the Government has invested over four years to deliver MRNSW 38 new rescue vessels, improve volunteer facilities and continue upgrading the marine radio network.
“This expenditure is aimed at ensuring our Marine Rescue volunteers have safe, reliable and modern vessels such as Fearless to support the volunteers in their mission to save lives on the water,” Mrs Williams said.
“I’m delighted in the support of the NSW Government in enhancing the safety of the boating community and in supporting local jobs and industry.”
Mr Parkin said the boat had undergone a full mechanical overhaul, with a new wheelhouse and flybridge console, a suite of new Raymarine electronics, the re-alignment of the vessels’ shafts and propellers and a new paint job in MRNSW livery.
“This ocean-going vessel has a range of 200 nautical miles. It’s undergone a total refurbishment from top to bottom and has emerged as good as new for its operations offshore,” he said.
UC McFadyen, who spent five years operating on Fearless as a member of the NSW Police Marine Area Command, said he was looking forward to reacquainting himself with the vessel following its upgrade and refit.
“Today’s sea trials and familiarisation exercises are an important step in preparing the vessel for its voyage to Lord Howe Island and operational service later this year,” he said.
“I’m excited to be here today in Port Macquarie to be a part of preparing LH 40 for its new role at Lord Howe Island in helping to keep our boating community safer.”
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