$858,000 Marine Rescue Port Macquarie rescue vessel commissioned

[mrsswordfisherman]

Date: August 25, 2016

$858,000 Marine Rescue Port Macquarie rescue vessel commissioned

Marine Rescue NSW will officially commission new offshore rescue vessel, Port Macquarie 30, an $858,000 investment in boating safety on the State’s Mid North Coast waterways, this weekend.

MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos and Board members, representatives of the Westport Club and local dignitaries will join volunteer members of Marine Rescue Port Macquarie for the commissioning ceremony at the unit’s Buller Street boatshed at 11am on Saturday.

The Westport Club has generously provided the unit with a grant of $150,000 towards the cost of the new boat, which has the honorific name Westport Spirit.

Commissioner Tannos said the new Steber 38 was a significant boost to the capability of marine search and rescue volunteers in the Hastings region of the Mid North Coast.

“This state-of-the-art vessel, which is able to travel up to 30 nautical miles offshore, further strengthens Marine Rescue’s strategic search and rescue safety net covering the NSW coastline,” he said.

“It is one of the latest of 69 new and refurbished vessels delivered to date, at a cost of more than $16 million, under our landmark fleet modernisation program.

“Providing safe, modern and reliable vessels is the greatest investment we can make in the safety of our volunteers and the boaters we assist.

“Built by Steber International, at Taree, this boat is also a valuable investment in local business and jobs in regional NSW.”

Commissioner Tannos acknowledged the vital support of the State Government and the boating community for Marine Rescue’s essential services.

“The financial support we receive from the Government and through boaters’ registration and licence fees provides about 50 per cent of the annual budget we need to provide NSW with a world-class marine search and rescue, radio network and education service for safer boating,” he said.

“Even with this funding support, as a community-based organisation, we still need to rely on our volunteers’ energetic fundraising. We are particularly grateful to the Westport Club for its generous donation towards the cost of this new vessel and the Port Macquarie community for its support for our volunteers’ fundraising efforts.”

MR Port Macquarie Unit Commander Neil Yates said the vessel was built and equipped to meet the unit’s operational demands in a variety of conditions, both offshore and in the more confined waters of the Hastings River.

“Our crews have committed a great deal of time and energy to intensive induction and training on board the vessel since its delivery earlier this month,” he said.

“PM 30 is a stable and safe vessel for our volunteers and is a really valuable boost to our capability to help boaters in trouble quickly and efficiently.”

The vessel is equipped with a search and rescue suite featuring Raymarine electronics and navigation equipment and an advanced first aid kit, including a cardiac defibrillator and oxygen.

UC Yates again thanked the Westport Club for its generous support for the unit’s volunteers and their vital work to save lives on the water through its $150,000 donation and funding to be raised through ongoing campaigns.

“The Westport Club’s donation has taken a huge load off the shoulders off our volunteers, who work tirelessly to fundraise for our unit, in addition to responding to emergencies and undertaking regular training,” he said.

“The Westport Club’s generosity has helped provide this valuable new asset for our community.”

Photos: Port Macquarie 30

[stevefish]

$858k for a steber! Tell em they're dreaming

[NaClH2OK9]

It says an $858k investment so that's a kitted price. No idea what the electrics and medicals, ect. account for.

I did chuckle at your post though Steve.

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Edited August 26, 2016 by NaClH2OK9