$4.39 million to kick start NSW's new single rescue organisation

9:01 PM Thu 2 Jul 2009 GMT

'Marine Rescue NSW - new this week, with over $4 million to spend in the first year' .

The days of there being three volunteer rescue organisations sharing the New South Wales coastline came to an end this week when Marine Rescue NSW was officially launched.

On Saturday July 4 there will be an operational meeting for Commanders and members about the new organisation, to be held at the Mint in Macquarie Street in Sydney.

It is a new era in volunteer marine rescue services with the launch by the state's Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi.

He presented a cheque for A$3m to the organization for startup costs. A new constitution for the organization is expected to be adopted and registered this week.

Marine Rescue NSW - doing the job of three - .. .

Marine Rescue NSW replaces three volunteer groups, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard (AVCG); the Volunteer Rescue Association, Marine Branch (VRA Marine Branch) and the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP), that had often competed with each other in the recreational boating community.

Following a report made last year on the safety infrastructure in NSW, recommendations were made to form a single group. 'The review consulted widely and found the ability of each organisation to recruit and raise funds was being over-run by the cost of their operations and training as well as the replacement of vessels and communication equipment,' said Tripodi in a statement. 'Radio overlaps, the location of bases, competition in fundraising activities, as well as vessel maintenance and fuel costs were other factors influencing the decision to rationalise volunteer activities and resources with the formation of Marine Rescue NSW.'

Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan said at a ceremony that Marine Rescue NSW was a 'milestone' for the boating community. 'Members of all three organisations have worked together to meld a single organisation for the future,' said Whan in a statement. 'Almost 1900 of their members have registered their interest in joining the new body.'

The state government will provide $3m to offset startup costs, and has allocated an additional $1.39m for operational activities this year. Tripodi said the three existing organisations will retain control and ownership of their club houses, boats and equipment. During the last year, NSW rescue groups have carried out 68 per cent of all search and rescues along the NSW Coast and have attended to 1374 rescues.

For more information about any aspect of the new group, including Saturday's meeting, which will allow time for questions in the agenda, go to their web site.

by Lisa Mylchreest