Marine Rescue guided tours were well-attended
An estimated 200 people were given guided tours of the new Marine Rescue Brisbane Water base at Point Clare at its open day on Sunday, May 25.
Most were impressed with the state-of-the-art communication centre, including the spacious training and function rooms, with several saying they were "gobsmacked", according to Unit Commander Ian Morrow.
"A lot of people said they didn't appreciate the efforts undertaken by the volunteer teams at Marine Rescue Brisbane Water to keep members of the local boating community safe," said Mr Morrow.
Questions were asked about the cost of running a voluntary organisation like Marine Rescue and were surprised that the annual operating cost would "hit the $200,000 mark this new financial year", he said.
He said the 140 volunteers at the local Marine Rescue base were responsible for costs including fuel used in the two rescue vessels and two rescue jetskis, regular routine maintenance for the local fleet, mandatory first aid and sea survival training, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the new building.
He said the unit relied on sausage sizzles, meat tray raffles and other raffles as well as business sponsorship.
He said the base planned to reintroduce lunch and dinner educational events for Central Coast service clubs and other organisations.
The $3.5 million base, paid for by the NSW state government, took about six months to build and was officially opened by the Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch just two weeks previously.
SOURCE:
Media release, 26 May 2025
David Wicks, Marine Rescue Brisbane Water