THE Marine Rescue NSW Narooma unit on Thursday took delivery and launched its new 10.2-metre Naiad rescue vessel built by Yamba Welding & Engineering.
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It’s only the second of its kind in Australia and is packed with the latest technology according to skipper Ross Constable, who travelled up to Yamba last week to check it out before it was trucked down this week.
One of the features is a military grade lighting function that turns everything black in the cabin for night searches.
The Narooma News will get a tour of the vessel soon and will bring you more details and photos!
According to the NZ-based Naiad company, the fenders are foam core D-shape with Naiad's extra heavy duty outer material covering them to give a traditional RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) appearance.
The Naiad has the traditional rescue cabin style, a customised interior layout to suit the Narooma Marine Rescue unit and an impressive electronics package, including a FLIR system.
While the first Naiad delivered to the Caloundra Coastguard had inboard engines and water jets, the Narooma boat has big twin 250hp Suzuki outboards.
The unit’s current NA30 vessel, a Gemini 8.5m RHIB, meanwhile was lifted out of the water immediately after and placed on the same semi-trailer to be trucked up to the Port Stephens area where it will serve the Marine Rescue unit at Lemon Tree Passage.
NA30 performed its last mission just the day before when a vessel flipped on the Narooma bar crossing.
The the upgrade of the Narooma unit’s berthing facilities and pontoon at Mill Bay continue despite the recent wet weather, so that it can be ready for the new boat.
The unit had hoped to have the new wharf installed over the new supports before Friday but connection of the walkway to the concrete shore-side concrete base remains problematic since the concrete was only poured last Friday afternoon, and it's a “voluminous” bit of concrete!
