New Rescue Vessel for Volunteer Marine Rescue Kingborough
Volunteer Marine Rescue Kingborough (VMRK) is excited to announce that, through funding support secured by Surf Life Saving Tasmania from the Tasmanian Government, we are progressing the purchase and introduction of our next rescue vessel, currently known as CB30. This funding forms part of the Tasmanian Government’s support for Volunteer Marine Rescue units across the state, helping units upgrade vessels, vehicles and equipment needed to continue supporting Tasmania’s boating community.
CB30 is a 9.5-metre Naiad patrol vessel, previously operated by Marine Rescue NSW’s Crowdy Harrington unit, based at Harrington on the New South Wales mid-north coast. Built in 2014 by Yamba Welding and Engineering Pty Ltd, the vessel is a purpose-built marine rescue platform designed for patrol, response and search and rescue operations. It has space for up to 10 people, including crew and passengers, and carries 600 litres of fuel, giving it strong endurance for supporting marine rescue operations.
CB30 will provide VMRK with an important boost to our future operational capability and support our volunteers in continuing to provide marine rescue service support to emergency services across southern Tasmania. Based at Oyster Cove Marina in Kettering, VMRK is proudly affiliated with Surf Life Saving Tasmania, united by our vision of reducing preventable drownings. Our dedicated volunteers actively support Tasmania Police, providing coastal rescue services across 560 kilometres encompassing Storm Bay, Frederick Henry Bay, Bruny Island, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Recherche Bay, and the Huon River.
We are currently planning the transport of CB30 from New South Wales to Tasmania, with more information to come in the coming weeks. While this is an exciting step forward for VMRK, it also means that our current vessel, Kingborough Rescue 1 (KR1), will soon be prepared for sale.
Kingborough Rescue 1, a 3100 Noosa Cat built in 2000, has served VMRK proudly since being brought into operational service with us in 2021, following its previous service as a rescue vessel with Marine Rescue North Stradbroke Island. KR1 has played an important role in supporting our volunteers, our community and Tasmania’s emergency services, and this next step will help strengthen VMRK’s future rescue capability.
VMRK is aiming to have CB30 ready for service ahead of the upcoming summer boating season, supporting Surf Life Saving Tasmania, local surf life saving clubs, community events and the wider boating community during one of the busiest times of the year on our waterways.
We look forward to sharing more updates as CB30 makes its way to Tasmania and begins the next chapter of marine rescue service with VMRK. To stay up to date, please like our Facebook page or keep an eye on our website for the latest information over the coming months.
