NSW plans big post-election boost to marine rescue services

The four-year spending deal from the NSW Coalition Government, which doubles the previous funding the volunteer service has received, will provide 38 new purpose-built rescue boats to 28 units across the state, Marine Rescue NSW said.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos said the extra funding would improve safety for boaters by better equipping the volunteers sent to support them in emergencies.

“For the first time we’ll be able to invest in a major capital works program to provide our units with efficient, safe and modern operating facilities,” Tannos said.

Units to receive the new boats include Alpine Lakes, Batemans Bay, Botany Port Hacking (Botany Bay and Port Hacking), Broken Bay, Central Coast, Cronulla, Crowdy Harrington, Eden, Evans Head, Hawkesbury, Jervis Bay, Kioloa, Lemon Tree Passage, Lord Howe Island, Merimbula, Moama, Nambucca, Narooma, Newcastle, Point Danger, Port Jackson, Port Kembla, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Sussex Inlet, Tuross, Woolgoolga and Tuggerah Lakes (The Entrance and Toukley).

The $37.6 million allocated over the next four years will boost the annual Marine Rescue NSW budget to more than $17 million.

NSW Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant said the funding would also allow Marine Rescue NSW to upgrade the marine radio network that it services and operates.

“This includes eliminating black spots along the south coast and on the Hawkesbury, making it much safer for boaters and the dedicated volunteers dispatched to support them in times of trouble,” Grant said.

The volunteer-run Marine Rescue NSW operates a network of 44 rescue units along the NSW coastline, and at two priority inland waterways on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River.

In 2017-18, crews performed 2802 rescue missions, including 840 missions in response to life-threatening emergencies, saving more than 6800 lives.

The state goes to the polls on March 23.