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Crew inductions will continue this week with the vessel expected to be operational before the end of the month.<\/p>\n
Marine Rescue Ballina unit Commander Peter Hill said volunteer crew members were impressed by the vessel.<\/p>\n
“This vessel will be a valuable life-saving asset for the Ballina community,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a state-of-the-art vessel with the latest marine navigation and communications technology, and it will perform search and rescue operations much better during the day and especially at night.”<\/p>\n
Marine Rescue boat captain Geoff Hutchinson published a book which covered the history of shipwrecks on the Richmond River Bar between 1840-2024 with part of the proceeds going towards the vessel.<\/p>\n
“Our Ballina volunteers, community organisations and the community in general have been very generous in their support for us,”<\/p>\n
Hill said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MARINE Rescue Ballina has unveiled its new state-of-the-art vessel to the public after a successful sea trial and unit induction in the region. Volunteers at the unit helped raise $150,000 towards the cost of the replacement vessel along with a contribution from the state government. The community got a first-hand look at the new vessel […]<\/p>\n