A new vessel will help the Volunteer Marine Rescue Kingborough provide additional services to various communities in their area of operations.

The replacement vessel, ‘Kingborough Rescue 1’, was funded by a $137,752 grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) and will be commissioned at the Oyster Cove Marina in Kettering on 10 June.

The group’s commander Ben Podolak said the vessel was an 8.8 metre Noosa Cat fitted with twin Suzuki 250 horsepower outboard motors and will be able to operate out to 30 nautical miles from land.

“Our previous marine rescue vessel was built more than 40 years ago and has been in service in this state since 2006,” he said.

“The new vessel has a proven hull design, modern outboard four stroke engines and is fitted with current navigation and radio equipment, providing a safer and reliable vessel for our volunteers.”

Mr Podolak said the Volunteer Marine Rescue Kingborough was one of two Surf Life Saving Tasmania Volunteer Marine Rescue units located in the south of the state and played an important role in providing safety, education and awareness to the boating public, with the aim of reducing preventable drownings.

“Our volunteers play a crucial role in the provision of marine emergency response supporting emergency services within the area of Storm Bay, Fredrick Henry Bay, Bruny Island, D’Entrecasteaux Channel extending to Recherche Bay area and the Huon River, covering approximately 560 kilometres of coastline,” he said.

“The vessel and launching berth will enable faster response times in emergencies, provide assistance to Tasmania Police in a search and rescue capacity, and provide water safety to a number of community groups.

“It has also expanded our coverage and we now have the ability to go as far as Maria Island and all the way down to Tasman Island.”

TCF Chair Sally Darke said the Volunteer Marine Rescue Kingborough and its services were essential to improving the wellbeing and health of the community.

“Our communities are evolving, and the Tasmanian Community Fund is committed to enabling projects and programs that meet the changing needs of our communities,” she said.

“We are looking forward to seeing the positive effects Kingborough Rescue 1 will have on the community.”