PAYNESVILLE COAST GUARD LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
October 21, 2011
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging East Gippslanders with an interest in water safety to consider joining the Paynesville Coast Guard.
Mr Chester this week presented the voluntary service with a new Australian Flag to fly from its Radio Communications Base at Paynesville.
He took the opportunity to learn more about the volunteer involvement in providing a reliable radio service for recreational vessels along with rescue operations particularly in the Gippsland Lakes.
“The Paynesville Coast Guard volunteers play a pivotal role in allowing recreational vessels to safely navigate their way from Western Port Bay to the New South Wales border and beyond,” Mr Chester said.
“The volunteers are on hand to provide regular checks which give vessel operators an additional level of support as they navigate Bass Strait.”
In addition to the radio service the volunteers are regularly called upon to undertake rescue operations in the Gippsland Lakes.
“The coast guard is well equipped with a rescue vessel that can tow stranded boats or provide assistance in an emergency,” Mr Chester said.
“There’s a wide range of tasks that need to be undertaken to keep the coast guard service operating and anyone interested in joining should contact the organisation.”
The Paynesville Coast Guard can be contacted on 5156 0106.
