Latest lifesaving tool for popular WA coastline officially handed over
The largest RIB built for sea rescue work by Dongara Marine to date has been officially handed over to Marine Rescue Jurien Bay, meaning the volunteer group has now joined the ranks of customers returning to Dongara Marine for follow-on contracts.
Completed earlier in the year, the 10.0 metre Ocean Watch joined the 7.7 metre Bay Watch, delivered in December 2021. Both vessels were built under contract to the Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
An official handover of Ocean Watch was made by Western Australia's Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon. Stephen Dawson, on 15 July 2023. The Minister released the following statement.
Marine Rescue Jurien Bay has officially welcomed a new vessel to its fleet, giving the group greater capacity to undertake long-distance rescues.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM today attended a naming ceremony for the 10-metre rigid-hulled inflatable boat, named Ocean Watch for its capability to travel great distances offshore.
The modern vessel is fitted with the latest marine technology including a radio detection finder to pinpoint the direction of an EPIRB, essential in remote ocean rescues.
It also has an inbuilt infrared camera to identify people in the water, particularly during night rescues.
Ocean Watch was purpose-built by local company Dongara Marine, with marine rescue volunteers contributing to its design.
The new vessel replaces a nine-metre catamaran that served the local community for 17 years, contributing to the rescue of three people when a boat capsized in rough waters last May.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Marine Rescue Jurien Bay jointly funded a new floating pontoon where the vessel will berth. It will be based at the group's headquarters, allowing volunteers to deploy quicker and reducing response times.
In the past year, Marine Rescue Jurien Bay has responded to 55 incidents totalling more than 290 volunteer hours.
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Ocean Watch is a great addition to Marine Rescue Jurien Bay's fleet and strengthens their ability to protect people using this incredible coastline.
"Volunteers are deployed to incidents at a moment's notice so providing them with the best available tools will help them get to people in an emergency situation more efficiently.
"The Cook Government is making sure volunteers have the enhanced technology they need to keep themselves and the community safe."
