Marine Rescue Shoalhaven’s large offshore vessel, Shoalhaven 30, has undergone a major refurbishment that will extend its operational life for at least another 10 years.
Marine Rescue NSW Fleet Manager, 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. This work ensures that Shoalhaven boaters in need of assistance will have a safe and highly capable rescue vessel to aid them.
“A full refurbishment has been completed on the interior and exterior of the vessel, including the installation of two new Yanmar inboard engines by Wakeford Marine Services.
“The electronics have been replaced with new Raymarine navigation and communications equipment, as well as new wiring and switching systems. The vessel also has a new mast, radar, and FLIR (forward-looking infrared camera) to assist crews during search and rescue missions.
“The topside of the vessel has been fully sealed and recoated, and Planet Wrap has applied new livery to the boat.
“The hull has also undergone extensive work, including gel coat repairs and antifoul renewal.”
Parkin said volunteer safety and comfort had been improved to help manage crew fatigue.
“We have changed the seating arrangements on the vessel to shock-absorbing Salti Bliss seats, making it much more comfortable for the crew to use.”
The refurbished Shoalhaven 30 was put through an extensive sea trial this afternoon (Monday, 30 September) to test the vessel’s operational readiness.
“We’ve completed the sea trials, tested the autopilot and internal systems, along with fuel burns, and she passed with flying colours,” Parkin said.
A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven will begin the voyage south from Newport on the refurbished Shoalhaven 30 at 7:30 tomorrow morning (Tuesday 1 October) with the crew expected to arrive home on the Shoalhaven River around 2pm.
“This vessel is now as good as new which will provide the unit with many more years of quality service.
“The volunteers at Marine Rescue Shoalhaven love this vessel and were extremely supportive of the refurbishment.
“Shoalhaven 30 is a solid Steber vessel and she has served the unit extremely well over the years. We look forward to another good decade of service from her,” Parkin said.
Ongoing financial support from the NSW Government has contributed to the cost of the refurbishment, supporting 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.
