Official opening of Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group's HQ

15/1/99

Transport Minister Murray Criddle today officially opened the new $300,000 headquarters of the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group in Challenger Harbour.

Mr Criddle said the premises, leased at a nominal rent from Transport, would allow the group to continue its valuable service for the Western Australian boating public.

"The support from Transport, which also allows the group use of the radio tower in Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour, means that it can channel all is resources into buying the best rescue craft and equipment," the Minister said.

"From December 1997 to November 1998, the group made 505 rescues - saving 1,537 people in the process.

"It has a 24-hour, on-call emergency service and operates three rescue vessels - one dedicated to the waters around Rottnest Island, another in the Swan River and a custom-built boat that patrols the waters bordered by a line westward of City Beach to the old South Fremantle Power House," he said.

Mr Criddle said the new premises had been built on a new site adjacent to Fini Group's apartments.

It was part of a general upgrade of Challenger Harbour by the Fini Group, to complement an apartment complex recently completed in the harbour.

The building also included public facilities, such as toilets, ablutions for vessel pen holders on adjacent jetties and a meeting room, which could be used by other organisations.

"The new premises are an appropriate way of celebrating 30 years of valuable service to the WA community," Mr Criddle said.

"The group has come a long way since it was originally created by river sailing clubs in 1969, and today it not only rescues vessels in difficulties, it also provides an emergency first aid service and boating education to the public."

Media contact: Doug Cunningham (08) 9321 7333