NSW Maritime has announced it is set to receive five new incident response vehicles to boost the emergency response capacity of its fleet.
NSW Maritime has already received the first of the purpose built vessels, which are extremely durable and fitted with the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Each vessel is 5.3m long and fitted with a stabilised camera that can be viewed locally or streamed and controlled from the State Marine Incident Coordination Centre.
The vessels will enter service over the next 12 months and will be strategically stationed at key maritime bases in Northern New South Wales, the South Coast and the high-tech headquarters in Rozelle, to respond to any unfolding marine situation.
Each vessel will have capacity for two crew members and six passengers, will have a 2.9m tender for even greater access, and a purpose-built trailer for on-land transportation.
These marine-grade, aluminium incident response vessels have been designed and manufactured in Australia for local conditions.
New South Wales Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen, said that these boats have the grunt to provide maritime crews with the capability to operate across different environments such as aquatic events, natural disasters and marine pollution incidents.
“Using their cameras, these boats are equipped to provide real time intelligence directly from the field,” Ms Haylen said.
“They will be able to assist in emergency operations such as flooding or bushfires, reach residents in remote communities, help with major aquatic events and improve wharf and bridge inspections.”