NEWS - Marine Rescue NSW Debuts at Sydney International Boat Show

The newly formed Marine Rescue NSW organisition will be launched to the public at the Sydney International Boat Show commencing this coming Thursday, July 30. 

Show-goers will get to see the volunteers’ new blue uniforms and two rescue vessels in the organisation’s new white and red livery that will be introduced as existing vessels are replaced or refurbished.

The NSW Government initiated Marine Rescue NSW this year to unify and streamline the three volunteer rescue organisations — the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, the Volunteer Rescue Association, and the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol — that serviced the State into the one body.

On July 1, the NSW Minister for Ports and Waterways, Joe Tripodi, presented a cheque for a $3 million grant to the chiefs of the three existing volunteer marine rescue groups marking the formal establishment of Marine Rescue NSW. Since then, more than 2000 Expressions of Interest by the public to join the new body have been received on the new marine rescue organisation’s website.

“This is very encouraging and indicates a very high-level of interest in the new organisation” said Michael Seale, board chairman of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, the largest of the three existing volunteer marine rescue groups in NSW.

Members of the three groups are currently in a transition phase to become Marine Rescue NSW and provide the State’s boating public with what is believed to be the largest marine rescue safety net of any state in Australia.

“This is a course that has long had the support of the recreational boating industry in NSW” said Seale, “And it is one that I have personally supported for the last 20 years. I am very proud that this has taken place during my time as the chairman of the Coastal Patrol.”

Marine Rescue NSW said there are still many matters to resolve during the transition period and operations of all existing units will continue as usual until such time as each unit is ready to formally become part of the new body. This is expected to take up to 18 months for all to complete, although a large number of units are ready to make the transition within the next few months.

From the point of view of the boating public, Marine Rescue NSW said the most important aspects of the change are:
It will be business as usual until the formal change; and, It will be business as usual after the change, but even more efficient and progressively better equipped.

The marine rescue volunteers' mission will not change. It continues to be Safety of Life at Sea through the effective and timely provision of: Marine Search and Rescue services; Marine Radio Communications; and, Boating Safety Education.

For further information, visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Photos: The Peter E Weston and the new Marine Rescue NSW uniform.