Another new rescue vessel has officially joined the Marine Rescue NSW fleet today, with the commissioning of the $613,000 Broken Bay 30.
Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott, Planning and Public Spaces Minister, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes, and Federal Member for Mackellar Jason Falinski joined volunteers of Marine Rescue Broken Bay for the vessel commissioning and naming ceremony at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay.
MRNSW Directors, Commissioner Stacey Tannos, Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell and representatives of neighbouring units also were on hand.
Mr Elliott said the NSW Government had provided MRNSW with a record budget, the largest investment it had ever made in the organisation.
“I make no apology for that. It creates a unique opportunity for a new generation of facilities, equipment and capability,” he said.
“This will be an extremely busy summer as Australians try to enjoy our own backyards and staycations. There will be more pressure on our waterways and more pressure on you. Australians are reassured you’re out there.”
He said the modern new vessel was a significant investment in boating safety on Sydney’s busy northern waterways.
Mr Stokes said it was in many ways a historic day, recognising where MRNSW had come from and where it was going.
He recalled the time when the Krait – famous for the Z Force raid on shipping in Singapore Harbour during World War II – had been the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol flagship on local waters.
Mr Stokes announced a $100,000 Community Building Partnerships grant towards a replacement for the current Broken Bay unit base at Rowland Reserve, ensuring the unit would have the capability to continue providing the service on which the boating community depended.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos thanked the State Government for its support, with its $37.6 million investment enabling the service to provide its volunteers with state of the art vessels and facilities.
“It was a game changer for our organisation. It was recognition by the government of how proud they are of the work of our volunteers,” he said.
He said Broken Bay 30, a 10 metre Naiad, was the 103rd boat delivered to MRNSW volunteer units over the past decade.
“We take great pride in building all our boats in NSW, supporting regional jobs and the regional industry,” he said.
Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga announced the vessel would be named after long-time member Michael Seale, who had committed 30,880 days or 38 years’ service to MRNSW and the RVCP.
He said the naming was richly deserved, recognising Mr Seale’s record of service and input in many roles, including as a vessel Master, a Director and Chair of the RVCP, his involvement in the purchase of the unit’s vessels, a Director on the initial Board and Fleet Committee of MRNSW, Deputy Unit Commander and Administraion Officer.
Mr Seale said he was both surprised and honoured by the naming.
The First Bayview Sea Scouts also attended the ceremony, performing the national anthem and later getting a tour of the new boat.
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