NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott has opened the first offshore Marine Rescue NSW unit and officially commissioned the service’s largest rescue vessel, marking a $1.4 million investment in boating safety on Lord Howe Island.
Mr Elliott was joined by Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams, MRNSW Chair Jim Glissan, Commissioner Stacey Tannos and Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell, NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller, members of the Lord Howe Island Board and volunteers from the new unit for the dual celebration.
“Lord Howe Island is a boating, fishing and water sports paradise. The NSW Government is proud to support the volunteer members of this newest Marine Rescue unit in their mission to keep the island’s many local and visiting boaters safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“We made a commitment to establish this vital rescue service on Lord Howe and it was made possible through the NSW Government’s $37.6 million investment in Marine Rescue NSW over four years.”
Ms Williams said the new unit had strong support on the island, with its 35 volunteers representing more than 10 per cent of the population.
“A community as reliant on the water as Lord Howe needs and deserves to have its own dedicated marine search and rescue service and I am thrilled that we have been able to make this investment in the boating community’s safety and wellbeing,” she said.
“The unit’s 16 metre vessel, Lord Howe 40, is a retired NSW Police vessel that underwent a major refit at Birdon Marine in Port Macquarie. This is another example of Marine Rescue’s support for the NSW boat building industry, directly contributing to skilled employment in our regional areas.”
Commissioner Tannos thanked the State Government and boating community for their ongoing financial support for Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and their life-saving services.
“Last year our members launched more than 2,500 rescue missions. We could not do this without this vital financial support, which has now enabled us to build a new base, install essential marine radio infrastructure and refurbish and deploy our first ocean-going rescue vessel here to Lord Howe Island,” he said.
Lord Howe Island Board Chief Executive Officer Peter Adams said the new service was a major safety boost for the World Heritage listed island, which was surrounded by the spectacular Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
“We are a popular stop-over point for transiting yachts and our visitors enjoy a range of water-based activities, including charter fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, eco-tours and sight-seeing cruises,” he said.
“Having our own service means that our professionally-trained volunteers can be quickly on the way to the scene of boating emergencies with the resources they need to rescue people in trouble on the water.”
Photos: Brad Whittaker
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