A simulated rescue operation was staged in Port Hacking on Wednesday during the announcement of $476,000 in government funding to Marine Rescue NSW to help recruit and train more volunteers.
State Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant and Sutherland Shire MPs watched as the crew of Port Hacking 30 “assisted” a boater who set off an emergency flare offshore from the Marine Rescue base.
The base is located on the former fisheries centre site, which is now Hungry Point Reserve.
Mr Grant said Marine Rescue NSW would use the funds to buy six pop-up recruitment trailers, 150 rescue and CPR mannequins, 82 iPads and six boat fire simulation machines, along with training centre fit-outs and volunteer training.
“Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking will be one of 45 rescue units to share the benefits of the funding, receiving new training and technological assets for its work to assist boaters off Sydney’s southern coastline, Port Hacking, Botany Bay and the Georges River,” he said.
Mr Grant said the organisation’s 3000 volunteers did “an outstanding job, keeping watch over our coastline, two high-risk inland waterways and marine radio airwaves, and they are always ready to help boaters in trouble.”
Cronulla MP and Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the volunteers were often called on to respond to emergencies in hazardous weather and sea conditions.
“This funding will go towards training equipment for the volunteers’ sea survival and firefighting training so they are better prepared for major emergencies on the water,” he said.
The funding has been allocated under the emergency volunteer support scheme, a joint federal-state government program to assist with the recruitment, retention and training of emergency services volunteers.
