Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie (MRLM) is one of the busiest in the state, and now they’ve gotten a boost for the operations thanks to the team at Glencore.
Marine Rescue units across NSW had their second busiest June on record this year completing a number of missions including 268 search and rescue missions. Of those, 85 were in the Hunter Central Coast area with 38 conducted by the Lake Macquarie unit.
MRLM operates around the clock to protect the community on the waterways responding to boating mishaps, life-threatening water emergencies and flood rescues.
The unit has now unveiled a critical addition to its rescue operations, a newly equipped Emergency Response Vehicle designed to rapidly deploy lifesaving jet skis in high-risk situations.
Until now, deploying rescue watercraft has been hindered by logistical challenges. This new vehicle, fully equipped to tow a double jet ski trailer, transforms their ability to act swiftly and efficiently when the seconds count.
The Emergency Response Vehicle was made possible by Glencore’s new three-year partnership with MRLM. Glencore is a Platinum Partner so their funding ensures the MRLM volunteers can continue responding swiftly to emergencies.
MRLM Sponsorship and Grants Officer Phil Neat highlighted the impact this vehicle will have on rescue operations.
“Having this purpose-built Emergency Response vehicle means we can mobilise quickly when an emergency call comes in, without delays caused by vehicle limitations.
“This upgrade significantly enhances our ability to respond to emergency events, saving lives across the Hunter.
“We can put both jet skis on the trailer and tow them to wherever they’re needed. It wasn’t that long ago that both jet skis were required down at Tuggerah Lakes where they were doing a search for a person down in the water down there.
“At that stage we had members using their own vehicles to tow the jet skis down, now we have a purpose built trailer and vehicle that will enable us to do that safely.
“It also importantly supports our vital fundraising teams in the community,” said Phil.
Glencore Social Performance Manager, Craig Strudwick, said Glencore was proud to support the volunteers, and their vital lifesaving work.
“Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who give their time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to protect the community. When they needed help, we saw an opportunity to support those who continually help others.”
The new vehicle arrives at a crucial time, following recent flood rescues where Marine Rescue teams provided essential emergency response across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.
