Additional safety boosted for Marine Rescue Bunbury

Marine Rescue Bunbury has installed a new swivel shockwave seat to its Spirit of Bunbury vessel thanks to Southern Ports’ Community Investment Program.

The new seat which has been installed to face the back of the vessel, enables a crew member to keep watch on the boat being towed, without having to stand on the boat’s deck.

Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks said that it was important to support vital volunteer marine services such as Marine Rescue Bunbury to advance their safety as they rescue countless vessels each year.

“Safety on the water is imperative, not only for our own port teams but for recreational boaters too,” said Mr Wilks.

“And in sharing the water with Marine Rescue Bunbury, we witness its rescues and weekly training sessions firsthand and know that safety is a priority for its team, just like it is for ours.”

“We’re proud to support these endeavours and hope the new safe shockwave seat to assist the team’s ongoing operations.”

Marine Rescue Bunbury Commander Albert Fullarton expressed his gratitude to Southern Ports for its support in upgrading the vessel.

“The Spirit of Bunbury has been with us for 14 years now and had a refurbishment in this time, but the installation of this new swivel seat has been on our wish list for some time,” said Mr Fullarton.

“Being a neighbour of the Port of Bunbury, we’ve always had a good working relationship with Southern Ports, but are so grateful for this support to make this upgrade happen.”

Over the past year, Marine Rescue Bunbury has completed 40 rescues of recreational vessels after they have run out of petrol or experienced mechanical or other faults.

Southern Ports has provided more than $100,000 in its latest round of funding across more than 35 groups in Albany, Bunbury and Esperance.

Applications are now open for the next round of funding and will close on 15 August. To apply, visit southernports.com.au/corporate/community-investment-program.

For more information on Marine Rescue Bunbury visit marinerescuebunbury.com.au

Southern Ports Regional Manager – Port of Bunbury Lee Smith, Southern Ports Deputy Harbour Master Lloyd Bailey with Marine Rescue Bunbury’s Denis Hynes sitting on the new swivel shockwave seat.