Marine Rescue Moama: a new safety net for Murray River boaters

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Marine Rescue Moama: a new safety net for Murray River boaters

Marine Rescue NSW will be recruiting volunteers for its newest unit - to be established on the Murray River at Moama - at this weekend’s 2013 Southern 80 water ski races.

MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos said Marine Rescue Moama would be the service’s second unit on inland waters, with the first now being established on the Alpine Lakes, Jindabyne and Eucumbene, in the Snowy Mountains.

“MRNSW is the State’s official volunteer marine rescue service. We have 45 rescue units along the coastline from the Queensland border to Eden in the south and now we are expanding our services to boaters on our inland waterways,” he said.

“This will be the first time boaters in Moama and the surrounding district will have a dedicated rescue service keeping a safety watch on this busy stretch of the Murray. Our mission is to save lives on the water and we will be standing by, ready to help when boaters find themselves in trouble.”

MRNSW services include:

• Emergency search and rescue
• Marine radio communications
• Boating safety education

MRNSW Deputy Commissioner Heinz Mueller will be attending the Southern 80 on the weekend to meet the first 11 members who have signed up for the new unit, which will be established over the coming year.

The Marine Rescue Batemans Bay unit will tow one of its rescue vessels to the event to conduct training exercises for the new Moama members and introduce the fleet to local boaters and spectators.

Commissioner Tannos said MRNSW had State Rescue Board approval to set up the new unit, including recruiting and training members and providing boats and facilities, ahead of its formal rescue accreditation.

“We are recruiting new members who are keen to support their local boating community and motivated to build this unit from the water up,” he said.

“By joining MRNSW, you’ll become one of a team of committed emergency service volunteers. You’ll have the satisfaction of working side-by-side with your mates to give something back to the community.

“Our members receive professional training to national standards and there’s a job for almost everyone at our units, whether that’s as a member of a boat rescue crew, radio operator, fundraiser or boating safety trainer.”

Commissioner Tannos said MRNSW was not a Government organisation but an independent volunteer service.

“We are grateful to receive financial support from the NSW Government and the boating community through a modest levy on their boat licences and registrations. We also rely heavily on sponsorship, grants and our members’ enthusiastic fundraising,” he said.

Members of the new Moama unit will be raffling a 3.84m AnglaPro runabout fitted with a 9.9 HP 4-stroke Suzuki outboard on a registered Dunbier trailer, valued at $8,900, to raise funds for their new unit.

With room for four people on board, the boat features two extra-large seats and a generous carpeted floor area. It comes with a safety kit including two lifejackets, anchor and chain, torch, bailing kit, V sheet, air horn and oars.

To buy your tickets or to find out more information about joining Marine Rescue Moama, speak to our members at the Southern 80 or call 0499 577 633.

Photo: Marine Rescue NSW volunteers will be aboard Rescue Vessel BM 21 at Moama this weekend