Volunteers celebrate new vessel

In a double celebration, Marine Rescue Port Kembla has officially commissioned its $130,000 rescue vessel and opened its new $120,000 harbourside base.

Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay and Marine Rescue NSW Directors Jim Glissan, Doug Musker and Bob Wilson, Commissioner Stacey Tannos and Illawarra Regional Controller Bruce Mitchell joined volunteers from the unit at the event.

Commissioner Tannos said the $123,500 Cobia Enforcer RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) on a $7,250 trailer, was based on Lake Illawarra, forming a valuable addition to the region’s inshore marine search and rescue resources.

"The 6.25m Cobia provides Port Kembla members with the flexibility of operating on both the main body of Lake Illawarra, as well as the capability to trailer around to the popular Windang Channel when low tides or bad weather cut off direct access from the main lake," he said.

"It is one of more than 30 new and refurbished vessels delivered to date, at a cost of $9 million, as part of our ongoing project to upgrade our rescue fleet through the financial support of the NSW Government and the boating community.”

Port Kembla Unit Commander Peter Purnell said Port Kembla 20 was a great asset for the unit and for boaters needing help in an emergency.

“This is a splendid boat with excellent handling and response. It has significantly increased our ability to come to the rescue, even in very shallow water,” he said.

The boat, powered by twin Suzuki 90hp outboards, is fitted with sophisticated navigation, communications and first aid equipment, including a defibrillator, to ensure that the volunteers can work efficiently, safely and swiftly to help boaters in trouble.

The unit’s offshore operations crew moved from their former Wollongong Harbour unit to their new base near the Port Kembla Outer Harbour boat ramp, one of the Illawarra’s busiest, late last year. Their vessel, Port Kembla 30, is moored nearby, significantly improving response times.

The new $120,000 base provides members with more room, improved amenities and a training room. The unit contributed $105,000 through its fundraising activities, with a State-Commonwealth Emergency Volunteer Support Scheme grant for $15,000 providing air conditioning, a new roof and training equipment.

The unit is also funding the refurbishment of its radio tower at Hill 60, where the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) for local units is located.

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Kembla provide a vital safety net for Illawarra boaters. In 2012, its volunteers Logged On 6,235 boats, ensuring someone responsible knew when they headed out and were due back, and took 21,345 radio calls.

Throughout the year, the SARCC coordinated 152 operations to rescue or assist boaters in trouble: 99 offshore, 28 on Lake Illawarra and 25 by MR Shellharbour.

To find your local base, visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au