Tweed Shire Council has thrown its support behind Marine Rescue Point Danger with a donation
of $11,783.
The cheque presented by Mayor Kevin Skinner is one of many annual donations the volunteer group has received from Council over the years.
Unit Commander Bernie Gabriel is grateful for the funds for the organisation as everything is not shipshape financially in his unit following an organisational change.
Marine Rescue Point Danger’s building straddles the border and two time zones in summer but funding now comes from just one state – New South Wales.
Marine Rescue NSW was formed following an amalgamation late last year of the three existing organisations: Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Volunteer
Rescue Association.
Accredited by the State Rescue Board, Marine Rescue NSW is now the only name that boaties need to remember for emergency help, marine radio communications and boating safety education on
NSW waters.
“Unfortunately units as yet receive very little funding coming from Marine Rescue NSW and we are once again being asked to rely heavily on local support such as Tweed Shire Council and the community,” Commander
Gabriel said.
“We are forced to increase our fundraising efforts which are causing strain on our members who are already committed heavily in training programs in Operations, Communications and Administration,” he said.
“This unit is desperately trying to continue to operate with the same efficiency as before but we are finding it difficult under the new system as it is operating at present,” he said.
Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Kevin Skinner, said Council was always pleased to assist an essential organisation such as Marine Rescue Point Danger, especially at this difficult time.
“This organisation has 130 active members who work around the clock to keep our boaties safe, with some 500 boat owners in the Mariners’ Club,” Councillor Skinner said.
“The commitment, enthusiasm and finely-honed skills of the crew at Marine Rescue Point Danger are a credit to the Tweed and the State as a whole,” he said.
Unit Commander Bernie Gabriel said Point Danger was one of the top Marine Rescue Units in New South Wales and Queensland, with responsibilities from Currumbin
to Brunswick.
“With the constant increase of both New South Wales and Queensland boats using the Tweed River and crossing the Tweed Bar, there is an increasing demand on our services, a demand that we are meeting,” he said.
“Our Search and Rescue Station is manned 24/7 with Categories three, two and one rescue vessels on standby for callouts. Working in conjunction with Gold Coast Airport, we also provide a specially modified craft for any aircraft
down incidents.
Commander Gabriel said safety gear, knowledge of marine regulations and boat seaworthiness were their primary concern for new boat owners.
“We encourage boaties to get in touch with us, find out about the services we offer and get on board,” he said.
“For example, if the boat owner who fell overboard near Cook Island recently had been wearing his lifejacket, he no doubt would have been spotted by rescue craft. Had he been logged in with Point Danger, his situation would have been responded to promptly because of non-reply to radio contact,”
he said.
For more information, visit
www.marinerescuensw.com.au.
