New wheels for local Coast Guard

COAST Guard Queenscliff has added a brand-new vehicle to its ranks, providing a more efficient means of travel for on-duty volunteers across the Bellarine and surrounding regions.

The Coast Guard unit’s new 2023 Ford Everest can fit up to five passengers inside the vehicle and will allow crew members to attend community and training events without use of their personal vehicles and fuel.

Unit commander Michael Donohue said the new vehicle, made possible by state government and community funding, will provide a big boost to increasing the unit’s presence in the community.

“We’re extremely grateful for the State Government, the Freemasons, and the wider Bellarine community, who actively support and donate toward marine rescue and search activities,” Mr Donohue said.

“The new vehicle will be used to support the many land-based activities we continue to be involved with, including attending and providing training, meeting with Marine Search and Rescue and other emergency service organisations, and providing on-water safety to the community, and at other markets and presentations.

“In the past, these types of uses were only possible through the use of our members’ private vehicles.”

The purchase of the vehicle was valued at $66,000 and was made possible by the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), which paid for two-thirds of the total cost.

Freemasons Victoria also contributed $15,000 towards the purchase of the vehicle, with the rest of the funds secured through the unit’s community fundraising initiatives.

Lead training officer Gary Tomlins says the vehicle will also be able to tow the crew’s training vessel to various locations and water entry points.

“The crew are extremely happy and fascinated by what it can do,” Mr Tomlins said.

“It’s the first time in a long while the unit has had a car vehicle at its disposal. We’ve had trucks and the like in previous years, but the crew is extremely happy to have this new addition in-use.”

To contact Coast Guard Queenscliff, call 5298 2222 or email [email protected].