Volunteer Spirit

Contracted in October 2020 and undertaken in mid 2021, this project was one of a series of refits contracted by Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to updated and extend the life of vessels used by the state’s Marine Rescue Groups.

Volunteer Spirit is a 7.3 metre Naiad design rigid inflatable boat (RIB) operated by volunteers in Lancelin, a fishing and tourist town some 130 kilometres north of Perth on Western Australia’s Turquoise Coast.

It is one of 37 Marine Rescue WA groups in the state that are managed and funded through DFES. Another two, in Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, are funded and managed by the Commonwealth.

Dongara Marine’s refit of the vessel included:

• Replacement of the original inflatable collar system including inner tubes
• Modification of the foredeck handrails and addition of a drop down ladder forward
• Modifications to the canopy structure and replacement of the canopy cover and clears
• Full repainting to match the new Marine Rescue colour scheme and livery requirements
• Replacing the existing Ullman seats with new Shockwave brand suspension seats
• Improving the forward cabin stowage arrangements
• Various trailer servicing and upgrade items
• Modifications of the helm and navigation console to allow for twin Furuno 12-inch multi-function displays as part of an upgraded electronics package that also included a FLIR thermal camera
• Repower with new twin 150hp Yamaha engines
• Replacement of all electrical wiring to be proper marine grade tinned cables
• Install new battery charging system and new batteries

For more information on Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia (VMRWA) visit www.vmrwa.org.au or its Facebook page. Lancelin’s Marine Rescue Group has a Facebook page here.