Funding boost for Volunteer Marine Rescue

Marine rescue organisations such as Bundaberg’s will benefit from a funding boost and future police support.

The funding announcement was welcomed by local marine rescue organisations and volunteer groups. (From left) Mark Ryan, Graham Kington, Tom Smith and Anne Vogler.

The Volunteer Marine Rescue groups of Bundaberg and the state will benefit from a funding boost from the Queensland Government.

As a result of a $27million injection, Direct Support Grants are making a return to the state which will allow marine rescue organisations to apply for funding for major purchases they would otherwise not have been able to afford.

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Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan amd Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith announced the funding at the Burnett Heads Volunteer Marine Rescue on Thursday.

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Bundaberg Volunteer Marine Rescue vice president Graham Kington said the group had already participated in more than 50 rescues in 2023, and the funding would go towards a new satellite phone to fill existing communication gaps.

He said the future of organisations such as his own was “unsustainable” without this sort of funding support.

The funding announcement was welcomed by local marine rescue organisations and volunteer groups. (From left) Mark Ryan, Graham Kington, Anne Vogler and Tom Smith at Burnett Heads on Thursday.

The funding will also allow organisations such as VMR to position themselves strongly ahead of the official establishment of Marine Rescue Queensland in 2024.

The new organisation will be a joint effort between Queensland police, coast guards and organisations such as VMR and will bridge the gaps between the volunteer and state run organisations.

Mr Ryan said local organisations such as VMR were the backbone of marine rescue success, and the new Marine Rescue QLD service would better position volunteer groups to benefit from police training and support.