Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke has officially welcomed Marine Rescue Evans Head’s $556,000 rescue vessel Evans Head 31 in a ceremony conducted at Evans Head on 23 January 2023.
Ms Cooke was joined by Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell and Chris Gulaptis MP, Member for Clarence officially commission Evans Head 31 to the Marine Rescue NSW fleet.
“Evans Head 31 is one of 38 new rescue vessels funded by a $37.6 million four-year State Government investment to support the vital, life-saving work of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers,” Ms Cooke said.
“With powerful Suzuki engines and specialist Raymarine Suite of maritime navigation equipment, the 10m mono-hulled Naiad rescue boat has already proven to have the speed and technology to quickly and safely get rescue crews where they need to when vital seconds count.”
“This outstanding rescue vessel is a valuable investment in the safety of Evans Head’s active local boating community and its many visiting boaters.”
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell said the new rescue boat had been custom-designed and built to meet demanding local operating conditions, and would prove a reassuring presence for locals and visitors alike.
“Evans Head’s boaters can rest a little easier knowing that this state of the art vessel is at the ready should they run into trouble,” he said.
“As well as operating on the river, the boat can quickly deploy up to 30 nautical miles out to sea to rescue boaters who find themselves in trouble offshore.”
Marine Rescue Evans Head Unit Commander Greg Blackburn thanked the local community for its generous support of the unit’s fundraising efforts to contribute 20 per cent of the cost of the new vessel.
He said the new vessel was a significant improvement over the unit’s former boat.
“The upgraded search and rescue technology on board including radar, sonar and FLIR night vision has improved our search capability, which is vital to our mission of saving lives on the water,” he said.
“With improved handling and manoeuvrability and greater volunteer comfort, our crews are able to operate more safely for longer periods and in a wider range of weather and sea conditions.”
“The vessel’s name, the Heather Stacey, is a fitting tribute to much respected member Heather Stacey. Heather has been a volunteer with the Evans Head unit for more than 27 years and remains a popular administrator and respected member of the Evans Head community.”
For more information visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au
