Marine Rescue NSW will commission the newest rescue vessel to join the Bay fleet, the $300,000 Batemans 20.

Commissioner Stacey Tannos, directors Glenn Felkin, Mark McKenzie and Pat Fayers and Eurobodalla Mayor Cr Liz Innes will join Marine Rescue Batemans Bay volunteers to officially welcome the new vessel.

Commissioner Tannos said the 7.5m Ocean Cylinder was a significant boost for Far South Coast search and rescue volunteers.

“This purpose-built, state-of-the-art vessel further strengthens Marine Rescue’s strategic search and rescue safety net covering NSW boaters,” he said.

“Batemans 20 will primarily be deployed to respond to emergencies and other incidents on inshore waterways, but can also travel up to 15 nautical miles offshore in support of the unit’s primary response vessel, Batemans 30.

“It is one of 70 new and refurbished vessels delivered to date, at a cost of more than $16.5 million, under our landmark Fleet Modernisation Program.

“Providing safe, contemporary and reliable vessels is the greatest investment we can make in the safety of our volunteers and the boaters we assist.

“In 2015/16, the volunteers from this unit responded to 83 emergencies and other incidents on the water, bringing 185 people home safely to their families.”

Commissioner Tannos praised the volunteers’ fundraising efforts and the community for supporting the unit’s drive to raise more than $50,000 for the new vessel.

He thanked the NSW Government and members of the boating community for their ongoing financial support for MRNSW volunteers’ work to save lives on the water.

Commissioner Tannos said the Batemans Bay unit had earned Commissioner’s Citations for responding to two fatal emergencies: the deaths of four family members when their boat overturned in rough seas off North Head in October, 2011 and the search for a plane that ditched into the ocean off Barling Beach in July 2014, killing the pilot and passenger on board.

“Our members are trained and equipped for their work to assist and protect the boating community,” he said.

“These were two particularly traumatic incidents and all the rescue crew members and radio operators involved in these operations are deserving of recognition and thanks for the manner in which they responded, demonstrating great navigational and search skill, professionalism and compassion.”

MR Batemans Bay Unit Commander Mick Syrek said Batemans 20 was built and equipped to meet the unit’s operational demands in a variety of conditions.

“It is a stable and safe vessel for our volunteers and is a really valuable boost to our capability, giving our crews additional capacity and flexibility to respond to help boaters in trouble quickly and efficiently,” he said.

“The boat is equipped with a suite of search and rescue, navigation and advanced first aid equipment, including a cardiac defibrillator and oxygen kit. It is powered by two 150HP Suzuki 4-stroke outboards, with a top speed of 35 knots and an offshore range of 15nm.”