New $330,000 Marine Rescue Port Macquarie vessel boosts boating safety

The 6.7 metre Naiad vessel, Port Macquarie 21, arrived at its new home on the Hastings River on July 14.

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit commander Greg Davies said the new vessel is a significant upgrade over the unit's current small open inflatable boat.

"The updated technology and equipment on board will improve our search capability, which is vital to our mission of saving lives here on the coastline," he said.

"With a 50 per cent increase in carrying capacity, a canopy to provide shelter and enhanced endurance, our volunteers will be able to operate more safely for longer periods and in a wider range of weather and sea conditions."

Marine Rescue regional operations manager Randall Gawne said the new vessel will be able to have a crew of six people on board during rescues.

"It doubles the amount of crew members compared to the vessel it's replacing and the canopy also makes it safer for crew as they will be better protected," he said.

As well as operating on the Hastings River, Port Macquarie 21 can travel up to seven nautical miles out to sea to rescue boaters who find themselves in trouble.

"It also provides better performance and can be used in more shallow water," Marine Rescue NSW fleet manager Kelvin Parkin said.

Port Macquarie 21 boasts a range of critical search and rescue technology and was built by Yamba Welding Engineering on the NSW North Coast.

The boat is one of 38 new rescue vessels funded by a $37.6 million four-year State Government investment to support the vital work of Marine Rescue volunteers.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the boat provides a welcome boost to the safety of local and visiting boaters and the unit's volunteers.

"Boating is an increasingly popular pastime on our local waterways, with a record number of boaters hitting the water last summer," she said.

"Our many local and visiting boaters can rest easier knowing that this vessel stands ready to assist them should they run into trouble."

Mr Davies thanked the community for its generous support for the unit's fundraising efforts to contribute 20 per cent of the cost of the new vessel.

"After a tough couple of years for the Port Macquarie community with fires, floods and COVID, this new vessel is a welcome arrival to our community and for the region's many local and visiting boaters," he said.

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