Boaters around the Hawkesbury will be kept safer thanks to the delivery of a new $441,000 rescue boat to Marine Rescue NSW.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke joined Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch, Member for Hornsby Matt Kean and Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Todd Andrews to commission the new vessel Hawkesbury 30 in a ceremony at Mooney Mooney today.
"This new state-of-the-art rescue boat will allow our Marine Rescue volunteers to keep people safer on the water," Ms Cooke said.
"Hawkesbury 30 is one of 38 new vessels being rolled out across the State under a $37.6 million investment by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to support Marine Rescue in protecting communities," Ms Cooke said.
Mr Crouch said as well as operating on the river, the rescue boat can quickly deploy up to 30 nautical miles out to sea.
"This outstanding vessel is a valuable investment in the safety of the Hawkesbury's active local boating community and its many visiting boaters. With its 250 horse power engines and a specialist Raymarine Suite of maritime navigation equipment, Hawkesbury 30 has the speed and technology to quickly get rescue crews where they are needed," Mr Crouch said.
Mr Kean said the new vessel was a significant improvement over the unit's former boat.
"The oversized windows provide greater visibility, while the large rear deck has adequate space for medical assists, which is essential for when Marine Rescue volunteers need to work with other first responders like NSW Ambulance paramedics," Mr Kean said.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Todd Andrews said the new rescue boat has been custom-designed and built to meet demanding local operating conditions, and would prove a reassuring presence for locals and visitors alike.
"Hawkesbury's boaters can rest a little easier knowing that this state-of-the-art vessel is at the ready should they run into trouble," Deputy Commissioner Andrews said.
