Marine Rescue NSW Acting Chief Executive appointed

8:21 AM Sat 1 Aug 2009 GMT

The appointment of Inspector Glenn Finniss, Manager of Marine Search & Rescue for NSW Police, as acting Chief Executive of the newly formed Marine Rescue NSW, was announced by the Premier of NSW, Nathan Rees, at the Sydney International Boat Show.

'I am very pleased to have been offered this appointment,' said Inspector Finniss, 'The volunteers and NSW Water Police have always worked very closely together. In this important establishment period where the three existing volunteer organisations will unify into a single organisation, I am confident I can help to forge a world-class organisation to serve the NSW boating community.'

Marine Rescue NSW was formally launched to the public at the Sydney International Boat Show on Friday by Ports & Waterways Minister, Joe Tripodi, who began the process of unification by commissioning a report into volunteer marine rescue at the 2007 Boat Show.

NSW already has the biggest safety net of volunteer marine rescue services of any state in Australia with 56 units located from Tweed Heads to Eden. In recent years the work of the volunteers has increased to handling almost 70% of all marine rescues in NSW waters.

'Establishment of the new, single organisation will bring significant benefits to everyone who enjoys recreational boating in NSW,' said Inspector Finniss. 'It will make it easier for people to know who to call in a boating emergency or for marine safety information. Who do you call for help with a land based emergency like storm damage? You call the SES. Who do you call about a bushfire? You call the RFS. It won't take long for people to know that you call Marine Rescue NSW for help in a boating emergency.'

Operations of all existing units will continue as usual until such time as each unit is ready to formally become part of Marine Rescue NSW. This is expected to take up to 18 months for all to complete although a large number of units are ready to make the transition within the next few months.

The marine rescue volunteers' mission will not change. It continues to be Safety of Life at Sea through the effective and timely provision of:

- Marine Search and Rescue services
- Marine Radio Communications
- Boating Safety Education

Further information can be obtained at the organisation's website www.marinerescuensw.com.au

by Marine Rescue NSW

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Marine Rescue NSW Acting Chief Executive appointed

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