Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott has commissioned two new vessels worth over $600,000 to bolster boating safety on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Mr Elliott said the new Marine Rescue Port Macquarie and Crowdy Harrington vessels were two of 38 rescue boats funded thanks to a record $37.6 million, four-year State Government investment to support the life-saving work of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
Mr Elliott was joined by Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams, MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos, MRNSW Deputy Commissioner Operations Alex Barrell, MRNSW Deputy Commissioner Corporate Services Todd Andrews, Mid North Coast Regional Director John Lynch, Port Macquarie and Crowdy Harrington volunteers to officially welcome Port Macquarie 21 a 6.8 metre twin console Naiad, and Crowdy Harrington 20 a 6.8 metre centre console Naiad, to the MRNSW fleet.
“The NSW Government is proud to support our emergency services volunteers, ensuring they have the resources and equipment they need for their work to protect and assist our community,” he said.
In describing the new Port Macquarie vessel, he said, “With twin 140 Horsepower Suzuki outboards and boasting a top speed of 41 knots, Port Macquarie 21 has the power and reliability to ensure the unit’s crews are able to be on the scene of an emergency more rapidly than ever.”
With reference to the Crowdy Harrington vessel, the Minister commented, ““With twin Suzuki 115AZX outboards and a top speed of 39 knots, Crowdy Harrington 20 has the power and reliability to ensure the unit’s crews are able to be on the scene of an emergency more rapidly than ever.”
Commissioner Tannos thanked the State Government and the boating community for their generous financial support for Marine Rescue NSW.
“This support means we can continue to deliver our volunteers modern, safe and reliable boats like these, purpose-built to meet local operating conditions on the Hastings River and its bar, the Manning River and its bar, and out to sea,” he said.
“This means both our volunteers and the local boating community will be safer.”
Commissioner Tannos described the vessels in more detail.
Built by Yamba Welding & Engineering on the NSW North Coast, Port Macquarie 21 is equipped with the latest search and rescue technology including radar, 3D scan sonar and Raymarine electronics suite, and provides greater manoeuvrability and endurance, enabling crews to search for longer.
The vessel also features a full first aid fit-out, including a defibrillator and oxygen kit.
Unit Commander Greg Davies said the new rescue craft was a great asset to the unit
and the local boating community.
“It is more robust than our previous boat, has greater endurance, and a range of up to 140nm, meaning we can operate more safely for longer periods and in a wider range of weather and sea conditions.”
Built by Yamba Welding & Engineering on the NSW North Coast, Crowdy Harrington 20 is equipped with the latest search and rescue technology including sonar, Radar RealVision 3D transducer and a Raymarine electronics suite, and provides greater manoeuvrability and endurance, enabling crews to search for longer.
The vessel also carries a full first aid fit-out, including a defibrillator and oxygen kit.
Unit Commander Cheryl Rowe said that the new vessel was already proving its worth on local waterways.
“It is more robust than our previous boat and has greater endurance being able to travel up to 145nm, which means we can operate more safely for longer periods and in a wider range of weather and sea conditions.”
About both vessels, the Commissioner said, “The updated technology and equipment on board has greatly improved our search capability”.
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