A Rescue Water Craft training day on the Hawkesbury River last weekend saw 10 trainees hit the water to help boost the ability of Marine Rescue NSW to better respond to boating emergencies.
Marine Rescue NSW Zone Training Manager Central, Jane Shirriff, said the rescue craft, also known as jet skis, were an increasingly important rescue asset for Marine Rescue volunteers.
“Rescue Water Craft have several advantages over our larger vessels,” Shirriff said.
“They are able to respond more quickly in an emergency, can get in closer to the shoreline, and are able to access shallow areas inaccessible to our larger rescue craft.
“Two Rescue Water Craft are based at Marine Rescue Central Coast and are able to be quickly deployed to coastal areas of the Central Coast, Brisbane Water or the Hawkesbury River to provide vital rescue support.”
Shirriff said the training will ensure that no matter where there’s an emergency on the Hawkesbury River, trained operators will be ready to head out and support larger vessels.
The training day saw five Rescue Water Craft used, with members from Marine Rescue Cottage Point, Marine Rescue Hawkesbury, Marine Rescue Broken Bay and Marine Rescue Central Coast participating.
“Another training day, with a total of nine Rescue Water Craft, will be held on August 27, helping to further boost our capability to respond in time for the start of the summer boating season,” Shirriff said.
Verified source: Media release, Aug 8, 2022, Marine Rescue NSW
