NEWS - Five New Safety Patrol Craft for NSW Waterways
NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the purchase of five new patrol boats, at a cost of almost $750,000, will provide NSW Maritime safety officers with an increased presence on the State’s waterways.
The Minister said the new boats have been purpose-built and equipped to carry out safety patrols both offshore and on harbours and inland waterways.
They include a 4.8m Cobia Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) valued at close to $40,000 which has been built at Huskisson on the NSW South Coast.
“The 4.8m Cobia was recommended for its robust construction and seaworthiness. It is equipped with a 50hp Honda outboard engine and comes with a heavy duty trailer for mobility,” Tripodi said.
A second vessel, a Sailfish 7.4m Platinum Series catamaran powered by two 150hp Honda outboard engines and valued at $193,000, is currently under construction at Alstonville on the NSW North Coast.
Tripodi said boat enthusiasts will be able to see a recreational version of the Sailfish in a display by Webb Marine at the Sydney International Boat Show.
Three of the new patrol boats are Kevlacat 3000 express cruisers built in Queensland and are valued at close to $172,000 each. The 8.1m catamarans are equipped with twin 175hp four-stroke Suzuki outboard engines.
“These Australian-built boats have been selected because of their capacity to patrol offshore, and the fact that they provide NSW Maritime’s Boating Services Officers with an effective work platform in a range of weather conditions,” Tripodi said.
NSW Maritime safety patrol boats are used to conduct on-water safety checks and a range of other activities to support the boating community. Last year, NSW Maritime said it conducted more than 45,000 checks State-wide.
Mean while, children and families will be able to hunt for prizes — and learn all there is to know about safe and responsible boating — at the Sydney International Boat Show, starting today at Darling Harbour.
Tripodi said the NSW Maritime Treasure Hunt is a new feature of the Boat Show and will offer more than $12,000 worth of prizes from a range of sponsors.
“Boating is a family activity and the NSW Maritime Treasure Hunt is an opportunity for young show-goers and their parents to have some fun while gaining awareness of boating safety.
“Organisers are expecting some 7000 school-age children to attend the Boat Show, so this is a great opportunity for NSW Maritime to promote boating safety education in partnership with the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of NSW,” the Minister said.
Young show-goers can enter the treasure hunt by collecting their entry form in the BIA’s kids’ activity packs which are available at the NSW Maritime Marine Precinct in Hall 5 of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“All you have to do is follow a set of clues to several different locations in the exhibition halls,” said Tripodi.
“The clues are based on important boating safety messages, and the answers provide a codeword reinforcing one of NSW Maritime’s key safety campaigns,” he said.
The NSW Maritime Treasure Hunt prizes will be on display in the Hall 5 foyer throughout the show. Prizes include:
* A three-hour sail on Sydney Harbour for up to five people aboard Pete Goss’ Spirit of Mystery, one of the highlight displays on Cockle Bay marina during the boat show;
* An Optimist junior sailing dinghy supplied by OziOpti;
* An RC Laser radio-controlled model yacht supplied by Radio Control Sailing;
* A Hobie Lanai kayak supplied by Sailing Scene;
* Two Tackers Learn to Sail courses and two junior club memberships supplied by Middle Harbour Yacht Club;
* One Basic Skills Learn to Sail course and Young Adult Boat Licence course supplied by High Performance Sailing;
* A School Holiday Introduction to Sailing course supplied by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia;
* A Musto clothing pack supplied by Musto Australasia;
* Twelve junior lifejackets supplied by RW Basham;
* Six fishing rods supplied by Blakes Marine; and,
* A ‘cuddly pup’ soft toy supplied by Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
The winners will be drawn by NSW Maritime at 4pm on the final day of the Sydney International Boat Show, Monday, August 3, and their names posted online at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au by midday Tuesday, August 4.