Two Rocks Volunteer Sea Rescue has welcomed an $80,000 grant from the City of Wanneroo, which helped buy a new rescue boat.
Guardian 1 is an 8.5m Naiad Rigid Inflatable, and with two 250hp engines can reach a top speed of 40knots, allowing her to respond to emergencies quickly.
Wanneroo Mayor Jon Kelly knows first hand how important a speedy rescue is, after spending many hours volunteering with TRVSR.
“In this group’s 20th year of operation it is fantastic that the fleet has expanded to include a second rescue boat,” Mayor Kelly said. “And it’s not just any rescue boat, it is first-rate, complete with an infra-red camera.”
Commander David Haynes said the new boat was a welcome addition for the Sea Rescue Group’s dedicated volunteers.
“Now if someone is at risk we can respond very quickly and we have the second boat on hand to go out.”
Volunteers are rostered on with TRVSR every day of the week, with about 40 active members taking on roles of skipper, crew or radio operator.
TRVSR needed more than $300,000 to buy the new boat and extras such as an air berth, and were helped with donations by FESA, Lotterywest and the group’s own fund-raising as well as the City of Wanneroo
Anyone interested in volunteering at Two Rocks Volunteer Sea Rescue should call 9561 577. Training will be provided.