New rescue boat at Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club has received a new inflatable rescue boat and outboard motor from Gosford Council through the Water Safety Levy scheme.

"The Council has put a lot of money into the movement locally, with all the new clubhouses and gear and it's great to know that they're still on our side," said Ocean Beach director of lifesaving Mr Nigel Fitzgibbon.

"It's been calculated that for every $1 that is invested in surf lifesaving, $29 comes back to the community.

"This extra equipment will come in very handy when we host the National IRB championships in July 2012," he said.

Earlier this year Woy Woy Leagues Club also presented Ocean Beach SLSC with a cheque for $3000 to make vital upgrades to its outboard motors through the CDSE grants scheme.

Ocean Beach was the only sporting club in the Gosford Council area to receive a grant of this nature.

The improvements included ergonomic spinners, reinforced leg brackets and user-friendly kill switches designed to make operating the rescue craft easier and improve the lifespan of equipment.

"These upgrades will not only make us compliant with new Surf Life Saving protocols, but they'll improve the longevity of our motors and also make it easier to train new duckie drivers," said Mr Fitzgibbon.

"Surf lifesavers on the Central Coast pledge to remain rescue-ready 24-7 and this CDSE money will guarantee our commitment to the Peninsula in the coming years.

"I'm very pleased with the support that Council has provided to SLSA over recent years."

Ocean Beach IRB driver Cr Peter Freewater said: "This new motor for Ocean Beach is very welcome and we really appreciate it."

"I am an active surf life saver with the club and I drive the rescue boats regularly.

"I can be found every Sunday doing water-safety patrol for the nippers.

"My children have been in nippers since they were six years old and it's a fabulous, healthy lifestyle that the whole family can get involved in.

"Like many in our community, I've been involved in surf life saving all my life and I've made life-long friends.

"I can think of no better place to be on Sunday morning than at Ocean Beach-Umina, one of the world's most beautiful beaches, we're there religiously," he said.

Media Release, 14 Dec 2011 Peter Freewater, Horsfield Bay