Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba vessel has operational life extended following extensive works

Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba’s main vessel, Iluka Yamba 30 has under gone a full refurbishment, which will extend the operational life of the rescue vessel for at least another decade.

Marine Rescue NSW Fleet Manger Kelvin Parkin said the 2011 built, 11.5-metre Steber cabin cruiser has spent the past six weeks undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment at Barrenjoey Marine Electrics and Mac Marine on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to ensure boaters needing assistance have a safe and highly capable rescue vessel to assist them in their time of need.

“We’ve just done a full refurbishment on the interior and exterior of this vessel.

“The electronics have been replaced with new Raymarine navigation and communications equipment as well as new wiring and switching systems while the vessel also has a new mast, radar and FLIR (forward looking infrared camera) to aid crews during search and rescue missions.

“The top side of the vessel has been fully sealed and recoated, the bow rails have been resealed and fixed to the vessel and Planet Wrap has applied new livery on the boat.

“The hull has also undergone extensive work including gel coat repairs and antifoul renewal.”

Parkin said volunteer safety and comfort has been improved to aid managing crew fatigue.

“We have changed the seating arrangements on the vessel to shock absorbing Salti Bliss seats, so it is much more comfortable for the unit to use.”

The refurbished IY 30 was put through her paces this week during an extensive sea trial to test the vessel’s operational readiness.

“We’ve completed the sea trials, tested the autopilot, tested all the internal systems along with fuel burns,” Parkin said.

A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba will begin the voyage north from Newport on the refurbished IY 30 on Saturday with the crew expected to arrive in Yamba on Sunday afternoon.

“During the day time, it’s about probably a 17 hour trip in total. They will do a hop, stopping up at Port Macquarie and then they’ll go from Port Macquarie up to Yamba.”

Parkin said new engines would be installed on the vessel over the coming weeks by Thwaites Marine in Yamba.

“Then she’ll be as good as new for the crew to get further good life out of this vessel.

“The volunteers at Iluka Yamba love this vessel and were extremely supportive of the refurbishment.

“IY 30 is solid Steber vessel, she’s proven well over the years and we are looking forward to seeing another good 10 years’ service out of her,” he said.

The ongoing financial support of the NSW Government has contributed to the cost of the refurbishment to support the vital work of Marine Rescue NSW and its 3,400 volunteers.

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.