A new marine rescue vessel made its debut on the Tweed Shores of the Gold Cost. The $300,000 rigid-hull inflatable boat was manufactured by Yamba Welding and Engineering and is powered by dual 150 hp outboard motors. The 7.5 meter vessel is suited for both river and open ocean rescue operations and will be operated by Marine Rescue Danger Point and based out of the Tweed Heads river station. The rescue service serves as a search and rescue coordination center and has multiple vessels on standby. The location of the new vessel, the PD 20, allows it to reach the open sea and respond to an emergency or rescue situation in a matter of moments. They have also acquired a new bunded fuel tank.
According to Unit Commander Glenda Ashby, the vessel is fitted with a full range of cutting-edge electronic devices that include low-light and night vision, radar as well as a variety of cameras and communication gear. Ashby stated that the vessel should allow for “operations both day and night.” And that the vessel, PD 20, makes “a welcome addition to our other craft.” The PD 20 will be used alongside other vessels, such as the 11.3 meter PD 30 and the more versatile aluminum-hull flat-bottom PD 10 river boat.
Marine Rescue Point Danger covers a primary area that extends from Wooyung/Black Rock north to Currumbin, but rescue personal are equipped for operations wherever the NSW and Queensland Water Police direct them. In the past, operations have taken place ad far north as Broadbeach and as far south as Cape Byron. With the additional capacities of the PD 30 rescue vessel, rescue personal expect to be called upon even more frequently.
A new communications base located at the Point Danger Lighthouse is scheduled to come on line late this year that can provide sophisticated marine search and rescue services. Investments like the new PD 20 and communications center will allow Marine Rescue Point Danger to better serve both visitors and the local boating community. The rescue service itself is predominantly staffed by volunteers.
According to Ms Ashby, the service utilizes over 100 volunteers that are required to undertake regular training courses in order to lean how to operate new equipment and employ the latest rescue techniques. “We always welcome more volunteers,” Ms Ashby states, “especially at this time of the year when there will be a lot of marine traffic out on the water.” Marine Rescue Point Danger provides 24 hour marine radio watch as well as rostered crew training programs that take place each weekend.
Staying Safe During BBQ Season
Every year, tens of millions of people take to their back yards and local parks to enjoy the company of loved ones and friends over a bit of barbecue. If all goes well – and most of the time, that’s exactly what happens – the day yields plenty of tasty food and happy memories for all concerned. Tragically, however, grill and barbecue-related accidents accidents occur every year, clouding happy moments and times of celebration with unneeded upset (and sometimes much worse). The silver lining is, all these mishaps can be avoided with just a few simple precautions on the part of the grill / barbecue owner. To learn more, just keep reading!