Bunbury volunteer sea search and rescue group secures Government funding

3/3/00
A local group is to benefit from State Government grants totalling $337,000 for Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) throughout Western Australia.
Emergency Services Minister Kevin Prince, who today announced the grants, said the funding would pay for necessary equipment and infrastructure to help the volunteers who provide marine rescue services in their communities.
"With the vastness of Western Australia's coastline and its variety of recreational and professional uses, the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services must be equipped to prevent, prepare and respond to marine incidents in a timely and efficient manner," the Minister said.
There are 34 VMRS groups in WA, served by 2,500 volunteers. Fifteen organisations will receive funding in the current round of grants.
The Bunbury Lifeboat Foundation has received $3,941 for the purchase of special communications and rescue equipment including a VHF radio, an Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and a Radio Directional Finder (RDF) unit. This is essential equipment to ensure quick response and successful rescues.
The other 14 VMRS to benefit are spread throughout the state from Broome, Exmouth and Shark Bay in the north to Albany and Esperance in the south.
"Each of the recipients has differing needs," Mr Prince said.
"Purchases will range from dedicated rescue vessels and specialist search equipment such as Global Positioning Systems and HF Radios, to the building or upgrading of premises and refurbishing interiors with new office equipment.
"Through community support each group has been able to provide a 50 per cent financial contribution to supplement the State Government funding. As a non-profit service, this 50 per cent contribution is the community's recognition of the invaluable rescue service the volunteers provide."
The VMRS groups respond to any offshore marine emergency. These range from the rescue of surfers and fishermen washed from rocks to sinking or lost vessels.
In 1998/99 the 34 VMRS groups responded to more than 1,700 emergencies, 117 of which were life-threatening incidents.
"Last financial year the VMRS volunteers gave more than 6,000 man-hours and rescued more than 2,200 people from the dangers of the sea," the Minister said.
The VMRS falls under the management umbrella of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA (FESA) which has a commitment to enhance the capabilities of the service throughout the State.
"This grants program is part of the State Government's $1million annual increase in funding to sea search and rescue groups over the next three years, in the interests of creating safer coastal communities," Mr Prince said.
Media contact: Chris Morris 9220 5000