Lord Howe Island: First off-shore rescue unit opens at Idyllic island getaway
NSW's first ever off-shore Marine Rescue unit has opened at a well-travelled piece of paradise off the east coast of Port Macquarie.
Mid-North Coast
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NSW first ever off-shore Marine Rescue unit has opened at Lord Howe Island in what is set to significantly bolster the safety of the region’s mainland and overseas tourists.
NSW's first ever offshore Marine Rescue unit has opened at Lord Howe Island in what is set to significantly bolster the safety of the region’s growing appeal to mainland and overseas tourists.
Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott officially opened the new unit and commissioned the island’s rescue vessel, Lord Howe 40, together with Commissioners Mick Fuller, members of the Lord Howe Island Board, Marine Rescue staff and Port MP Leslie Williams.
Lord Howe 40, an ex-police boat refurbished at Birdon Marine, will be the largest vessel in the fleet at 16 metres. Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW) took ownership of the boat from NSW Police last year, before it underwent a $655,000 refurbishment at the boat manufacturer’s Port Macquarie headquarters.
The work included a full mechanical overhaul, new navigation and communications systems, new internal fit out, repairs to hull and structural corrosion and a facelift.
Lord Howe Island Board Chief Executive Officer Peter Adams said the new service was a major safety boost for the World Heritage listed island, which includes the stunning Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
“We are a popular stopover point for transiting yachts and our visitors enjoy a range of water-based activities, including charter fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, ecotours and sightseeing cruises,” he said.
“Having our own service means that our professionally-trained volunteers can be quickly on the way to the scene of boating emergencies with the resources they need to rescue people in trouble on the water.”
The waterfront base was built by local builders, Belle Frederick Construction, at a cost of $408,000.
The steel framed timber building includes a radio room, Unit Commander’s office, change room and storage for rescue equipment, including an inflatable boat to reach Lord Howe 40, which is moored in the lagoon.
Essential radio infrastructure – including a satellite link to the mainland – was installed on Intermediate Mountain last year at a cost of $320,000. The marine radio services will be operated via satellite from the MRNSW State Communications Centre in Sydney, with a local radio network operating for local boating communications.
Minister Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, said Lord Howe Island is a boating, fishing and water sports paradise and was destination well worthy of its own rescue base.
““We made a commitment to establish this vital rescue service on Lord Howe and it was made possible through the NSW Government’s $37.6 million investment in Marine Rescue NSW over four years.”
Mrs Williams said the new unit had strong support on the island, with its 35 volunteers representing more than 10 per cent of the population.
“A community as reliant on the water as Lord Howe needs and deserves to have its own dedicated marine search and rescue service and I am thrilled that we have been able to make this investment in the boating community’s safety and wellbeing,” she said.
“The unit’s 16 metre vessel, Lord Howe 40, is a retired NSW Police vessel that underwent a major refit at Birdon Marine in Port Macquarie.
This is another example of Marine Rescue’s support for the NSW boat building industry, directly contributing to skilled employment in our regional areas.”
Commissioner Tannos thanked the State Government and boating community for their ongoing financial support for Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and their lifesaving services.
“Last year our members launched more than 2,500 rescue missions … we could not do this without this vital financial support, which has now enabled us to build a new base, install essential marine radio infrastructure and refurbish and deploy our first ocean- going rescue vessel here to Lord Howe Island,” he said.
Mr Elliott and Mrs Williams then joined the volunteers of the Lord Howe Island Rural Fire Brigade to officially commission the new $267,000 tanker.
“This tanker will assist the volunteers of the RFS to keep Lord Howe Island safe in the event of fire and will be a significant boost to their capabilities,” Mr Elliott said.
Mrs Williams thanked the volunteers who dedicate their time to protecting the island.
“The Lord Howe Island Rural Fire Brigade serve their community well and will be able to use this tanker to assist them with fire and prevention,” Mrs Williams said.
They then toured Lord Howe Island Emergency Operations Centre, which will benefit from a $340,000 upgrade.
“The upgrade is part of a $6.2 million investment in the critical infrastructure of backbone Emergency Operations Centres across NSW,” Mr Elliott said.
Mrs Williams welcomed the investment to upgrade key operational functions of the centre.
“Lord Howe Island can be hit by severe storms and cyclones, and was even subject to a Tsunami warning earlier this year, and this upgrade will make sure the island is prepared for any disaster.”
EARLIER
Ship builder wins $10M contract
On May 28, 2021
Port Macquarie boat builders, Birdon, have secured a major government contract to build a fleet of new fire fighting vessels for the NSW Port Authority.
The $10 million contract will be yet another quill in the cap of the local manufacturing giant, which only six months ago was given a license to build three new Emerald Class Sydney Ferries.
The latest contract, announced this week, will see the company build two new multipurpose firefighting vessels for the NSW Port Authority which will be moored at Sydney Harbour and Port Botany.
The two vessels will provide the Port Authority with improved capabilities for a range of routine on-water operations in addition to a more effective response to on-water fire and other maritime incidents.
Designed with feedback from Port Authority's marine operations teams, the new vessels will feature two fire pumps, 360-degree visibility from the wheelhouse and an open deck for ease of movement for the crew.
The new vessels will be delivered by early 2023.
“The new vessels will be highly functional ‘workboat style’ vessels, with lifting capability, towing capacity and strong performance characteristics in a variety of sea states, in shallow water and in restricted areas of navigation,” Port Authority CEO Philip Holliday, said.
The new vessels will replace Port Authority’s two firefighting tugs Shirley Smith, named after the Wiradjuri woman, social worker and humanitarian, and Ted Noffs, named after the founder of the Wayside Chapel.
After 40 years of service, the two tugs have reached the end of their working life, says Mr Holliday.
“Our existing tugs are much-loved and have served our community well over the past 40 years, but unfortunately they can’t go on forever.”
“It’s time to plan for their retirement and build replacement vessels that have firefighting capabilities and additional functionality so our crews can continue to support the safety needs of Sydney Harbour and Port Botany.”
“We will reach out to the relatives of Shirley Smith and Ted Noffs over the next 12 months to determine how best to mark the retirement of the existing vessels.”
Port Authority of NSW responds to maritime incidents and marine pollution across Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Port Kembla, Newcastle, Eden and Yamba and is the lead emergency response agency in waters from Fingal Head, Port Stephens to Gerroa, south of Port Kembla.
It operates a fleet of specialised vessels and equipment used for firefighting, oil spill response, salvage and vessel assistance.
The news builds on Birdon’s skyrocketing reputation locally and internationally, and follows recent announcements including three Emerald class ferries will be completed in Port Macquarie.
Birdon will meet all design, procurement, engineering, and project management from its Port Macquarie headquarters. Some parts will be partially constructed offshore, but 70 per cent of the build will remain local.
Birdon has been a preferred contractor for the NSW Government over recent years, having contributed heavily to the construction of Government-owned marine and maritime vessels, including the NSW Police fleet.
The team has also earned a reputation internationally, having successfully tendered for a (USD) $17.8 million contract with the United States Navy through its American subsidiary, Birdon America Inc.
Under this contract, Birdon will provide Scrap Metal and Waste Removal Operations on the Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
The new fire fighting vessels are expected to be on the water in three-four years.
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