Marine Rescue Vessel Ready To Save Lives
Cronulla RSL are proud to help the Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit get their new Naiad vessel, Botany Hacking 32 (BH32), fully equipped to be able meet the requirements of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority requirements, as a ‘Search & Rescue’ vessel.
BH32 joins their fleet of vessels in order to allow the Unit to better respond to the increasing calls for assistance from boaters and fishers in distress, and to keep their members safe in responding to calls for emergency assistance.
Our waterways have the State's second highest level of boat licence holders, the highest level of PWC (jet-ski) licence holders and the Port Hacking area accounts for 29% of maritime accidents in local waterways. In the previous boating season, their Unit took over 6000 calls, assisting 240 vessels. The new vessel will provide increased capacity to meet community need, both by increasing their response capability and also by expanding their operational ability into more shallow areas.
Thanks to the donation of Cronulla RSL, through the supplier Whitworths, the Unit has been able to purchase essential personal protection and safety equipment which will be used during search & rescue activities.
This new equipment ensures that the vessel conforms with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority requirements, as a ‘Search & Rescue’ vessel.
Our waterways have the State's second highest level of boat licence holders, the highest level of PWC (jet-ski) licence holders and the Port Hacking area accounts for 29% of maritime accidents in local waterways.
Life Saving Equipment
BH32 required a fit-out with chandlery including tow lines, safety equipment (first aid, EPIRB), fenders, response equipment (battery jumpstart pack) and similar equipment items to meet Australian Maritime Safety Authority and State Rescue Board requirements to become operational.
Unit Commander Greg Inglis explains in the video below, how the essential safety and personal protection items will be used.
ABOUT Marine Rescue
Botany Port Hacking
Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit operates fast response rescue vessels, covering the waters of Botany Bay, Georges River, Port Hacking and fifteen (15) nautical miles seaward between Wedding Cake Island and Stanwell Park. They also operate Solander Radio Base, located at Hungry Point, Cronulla.
Their unit is a 100% volunteer organisation. Their mission as a volunteer emergency service is "saving lives at sea".
They operate 3 vessels. To maintain the coverage for the safety of the boating public, they need 50 volunteers a week to run the boats and the radio room. The radio room plays a significant part in their safety programs, and is operated from 5am - 6:30pm, 7 days a week/365 days a year.
Using our waterways soon?
Marine Rescue NSW always recommend you logon every time you’re on the water. You can find more information how via this link: https://www.marinerescuensw.com.au/plan-log-on/.