Last week on April 12, Minister for Police and Community Safety, Mark Ryan introduced Mackay’s new marine rescue vessel, MR31, to help local volunteer rescue services keep people safe on the water.
The MR31 is a modern 7.5m monohulled vessel, designed to accommodate the crew and up to six rescue passengers, adding a significant capacity to support local rescue efforts.
The contingency vessel will be used by regional marine rescue services when additional capability is required due to disasters, maintenance or repair and can be deployed throughout the area.
Member for Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said that “given the way the rescue team sacrifice their time and efforts for the benefit of their fellow Queenslanders it is entirely appropriate that they have the best equipment and vessels to support their selfless efforts.”
Since becoming operational, MR31 has responded to several marine search and rescue operations, including providing critical support to the Queensland Water Police during their response to the tragic incident on Kinchant Dam.
Police and Community Safety Minister Mark Ryan said, “delivery of this vessel is part of our ongoing commitment to support our dedicated, local volunteers who often place their own safety at risk to save lives in hazardous conditions and weather.
“We will continue to further support marine rescue through establishing a single, integrated marine rescue service, when we launch Marine Rescue Queensland this year.”
The vessel is part of the Miles Government’s $22.3 million Marine Rescue Vessel Replacement Program, which will replace up to 10 search and rescue vessels along Queensland’s coastline over the next 12 months.
The Miles Government is currently delivering on its commitment to further invest in local marine services, which includes the establishment this year of a single, integrated marine rescue service, called Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ).
MRQ will progressively bring together Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue to continue the tradition of protecting Queenslanders on our oceans and waterways, while further supporting the local volunteers who support our communities.
Marine Rescue Queensland Chief Officer Designate Tony Wulff claimed that “The modern vessel program is a cornerstone of the new Marine Rescue Queensland and a positive step to help keep the community and our volunteers safer on the water.
“Marine volunteers do so much to keep the community safe and this new vessel will help ensure they have the equipment they need to continue their valuable lifesaving work.”
Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay President Russell McLennan expressed his gratitude, stating, “we would like to thank the Queensland Government for its ongoing support to enable us to deliver this valuable service to the community.”
Mackay Region received a new 7.5m rescue vessel to enhance the area’s marine rescue capabilities. Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara
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