VOLUNTEERS SAVING LIVES ON THE WATER
Marine Rescue NSW (MR NSW) is our State’s official Volunteer Marine Rescue Service, committed to saving lives on the water. Safety on the water is our highest priority – for both our volunteers and the boating public.
Botany Port Hacking Unit is one of 45 Units working along the NSW coast.
The Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit runs two rescue vessels, covering the waters of Botany Bay, Georges River, Port Hacking and thirty (30) nautical miles seaward between Wedding Cake Island (North) and Stanwell Park (South).
We also run our Radio Base, Marine Rescue “Solander” at Hungry Point, Cronulla.
The Marine Rescue aim is the promotion of safe boating which is achieved in three complementary ways:
- Safety Patrols on the water, particularly on weekends and public holidays, and to help of all types to the boating public. Participation in Search and rescue activities are conducted as and when needed.
- Provision of comprehensively equipped Radio Base to keep contact with boat users, and, where necessary, to direct Marine Rescue vessels to those in need of help.
- Public Training programs in Basic Seamanship and boat handling, Radio operation, and coast navigation to better equip members of the public with safety conscious habits.
“We always look to the future but will never forget the past”.
Botany Port Hacking unit has been “saving lives on the water” for more than 50 years.
1973, early operations known as The Port Hacking Flotilla was set up, initially running its radio base and on water operations out of Yowie Bay Boatshed. Covering from Stanwell Park in the south to Wedding Cake Island in the north, including all adjacent inland waters as it is today, with all rescue boats then being privately owned.
1979, the Flotilla had grown, leading to the creation of the Solander Division which included both the Port Hacking and now Botany Bay.
1987, the first specialized Coast Guard Rescue Vessel on Port Hacking was commissioned. A donated 6.5 metre vessel provided by Maritime Services Board.
This vessel took over all patrol duties from privately owned boats, allowing for improved and standardized training in seamanship ship and vessel handling.
1991, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association was accredited as a Maritime Search & Rescue Organization, with the Port Hacking Flotilla appointed as the first Maritime Rescue Unit between Botany Bay and Wollongong.
1992, the Solander Division Flotilla was awarded the Associations Public Training Shield for exacting standards and attendance.2009, Marine Rescue NSW was created with the amalgamation of The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association – NSW Squadron and the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and the NSW VRA Marine Division.
2010, Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW officially took to the water. Marine Rescue NSW provides marine rescue services from a single official designated “Emergency Service”.
All members of MR NSW go through an extensive training program. They receive training in Advanced First-aid, Advanced CPR, boat handling, firefighting, Safety at Sea, Radio Operations up to long range radio operations and all aspects of Coast navigation and SAR operations and techniques. Our training is conducted following the strict standards dictated by the peak NSW rescue authority, the State Rescue Board.
All our members must undergo continual training (drills and skills) to keep up their skill levels.
Our boat crews are on roster for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our radio coverage runs 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Our members work alongside other emergency services particularly in relation to search and rescue operations.
MRNSW members provide vital safety services to the NSW boating community:
- Swift coordinated marine emergency response.
- Boating safety education
- Continuous radio coverage along the coastline
Our boats are fitted with ultramodern navigation, electronics, communication and first aid equipment, including lifesaving automatic defibrillators and oxygen therapy.
Whenever you’re heading out on the water, make sure you use your marine radio to log on with “Marine Rescue Solander” on CH16 or phone the base on 028522 9400 so someone responsible is keeping watch for you.
You can also log on using the MR NSW App which is available for Apple and Android mobile phones download it today. If you don’t log off when your due back, our members will swing into action to find you.
All volunteer organizations face financial challenges and Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit is no different.
Our vessels are obtained by MR NSW HQ, but Botany Port Hacking must pay a large amount of the initial purchase price. We as a unit cover the costs of fueling our vessels and all their ongoing maintenances costs. In addition, the costs of all repairs or replacement of equipment onboard our vessels must be paid for by our unit.
If we are to keep a presence on the water and continue to achieve our aim of “saving lives on the water”. We need your help.
To keep our current level of commitment to the boating community we face operating costs for Rescue Vessel fuel alone more than $55,000 per year.
Our radio bases also have heavy running costs covering power, rent and other services as well as upgrades to computer systems and radios along with their aerials and associated remote stations.
Volunteering with Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking is rewarding, and we are always accepting “expressions of interest” (found on this website) from potential new members.
If you wish to donate and help us in our mission of saving lives on the water, please click here to go to our donation page.