Northern Territory Emergency Service marks 50 years with state-of-the-art gift

A brand-new, custom-built rescue vessel has joined the NTES fleet, delivering a powerful upgrade to the Territory’s emergency response capabilities — just in time for its 50th anniversary.

Onboard the new NTES vessel 402 looking at Big Bertha.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style — with the ultimate lifesaving gift.

A sleek, custom-built rescue vessel has officially joined the fleet, delivering next-level capability for flood evacuations, marine rescues, and vital cargo transport.

Designed by local company Custom Works, the new boat replaces a 25-year-old off-the-shelf model that had long outlived its usefulness.

And the upgrade is significant.

This high-performance vessel is faster, more maneuverable, and can carry up to 10 people or 800kg of critical supplies — more than double the capacity of its predecessor.

NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Warton said the new addition is a game-changer for emergency response operations, particularly during the Top End’s unforgiving Wet Season.

“Our NTES volunteers respond to everything from flood evacuations to river rescues and marine searches. Having a boat that’s built for our conditions is crucial,” he said.

Built as a middle-ground option between NTES’ smaller 5.3m flood boats and larger 6.2m landing crafts, the new vessel is light yet powerful.

Its design takes cues from the NT Police’s Mudskipper patrol boat, ensuring it can handle a range of challenging conditions, from rough waters to flooded plains.

For the volunteers who will operate it, the vessel is already proving its worth.

NTES volunteers in action on the new vessel 402.

With superior cargo space and smooth handling, it will allow responders to reach stranded communities faster and deliver essential supplies with ease.

And it’s not just for emergencies — NTES volunteers said it could even assist in unique rescues, such as cliff extractions or delivering groceries and supplies to isolated residents and communities.

“This vessel comes at a particularly important time for the Northern Territory Emergency Services as this is our 50th Anniversary,” Commissioner Warton said.

“Born out of Cyclone Tracy and strengthened all the way through, this is where we stand today — with this wonderful organisation, and now we’ve got a new member, and that member is the vessel.”

The NTES fleet now boasts 18 boats, each playing a crucial role in disaster response.

Among them is the well-loved workhorse, “Big Bertha,” which was on the water during today’s demonstration.

The new boat, however, is still awaiting a nickname — currently known only as 402.

During the test run, volunteers wasted no time putting the vessel through its paces.

One crew member even lost their hat to the wind, only for Big Bertha’s crew to stage a swift (and good-humoured) rescue.

NTES volunteers in action on the new vessel 402.

“You can really feel the water pulling when moving... handles really well,” one NTES volunteer said after the test run.

With the NT Fire and Emergency Services now operating under a single umbrella, bringing together NTES, Fire and Rescue, and Bushfires NT, this new vessel is more than just a piece of equipment — it’s a symbol of progress, teamwork, and community safety.

And for an organisation that has spent 50 years saving lives, it’s a fitting gift indeed.

Originally published as Northern Territory Emergency Service marks 50 years with state-of-the-art gift