North Coast communities are continuing to benefit from more than $10.5 million in Marine Rescue NSW contracts to build and fit-out new vessels.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis today visited the Yamba Welding and Engineering shipyard where two Marine Rescue NSW vessels, worth $986,000, are being built.
“These two new boats will bring the number of Marine Rescue NSW vessels delivered by Yamba Welding and Engineering to 19, with more in the pipeline,” Ms Cooke said.
“The construction of each vessel has been made possible by the NSW Government’s four-year investment of $37.6 million in Marine Rescue NSW, which is supporting the ongoing replacement of ageing facilities, vessels and equipment.”
Minister Cooke inspecting a Marine Rescue vessel under construction
Member for Clarence said the Marine Rescue NSW construction contracts are supporting skilled jobs and providing apprenticeships for young people in the region.
“Yamba Welding and Engineering is producing state-of-the-art rescue vessels equal to those produced anywhere in the world, and the job and training opportunities this creates are also a vital part of the flood recovery effort,” Mr Gulaptis said.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell said each boat is custom designed to meet local conditions and the specific needs of the Unit receiving the vessel.
“This collaborative approach is delivering faster, safer and more responsive rescue vessels which are able to reach the scene of an emergency in a wider range of weather and sea conditions,” Deputy Commissioner Barrell said.
General Manager of Yamba Welding and Engineering Jamie Howden said the shipyard had a proud history of building first-class vessels for NSW, including for the Police Marine Area Command, DPI Fisheries, Maritime NSW and the State Emergency Service.
“The acquisition of Yamba Welding and Engineering by Australian-owned The Whiskey Project Group has enabled us to continue supporting regional jobs and to deliver state of the art vessels for our clients. The investment by Marine Rescue NSW and the NSW Government has helped us to employ six apprentices and to continue to grow our business and to support jobs and skilled industry on the North Coast,” Mr Howden said.
