Custom-built vessel for Marine Rescue Jurien Bay

A new Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) has been deployed to Marine Rescue Jurien Bay, giving local volunteers greater capability to keep the community safe over summer.

Built locally by Dongara Marine, the 6.8-metre vessel is trailerable and can be launched from beaches, improving response times for incidents in the Cervantes area, south of Jurien Bay. 

Importantly, the RHIB has been designed with input from local marine rescue volunteers and is custom-built to meet their needs.

This input has been vital, with the final design incorporating a trailer for quick transport via road and the capability to launch from beaches.

The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics and twin 150-horsepower motors.

To give the community a sense of ownership of the vessel, a local competition to name the RHIB has been running in Jurien Bay in recent weeks.

The winning entry will be unveiled at a special event at Jurien Bay Marina Boat Ramp on Saturday 18 December 2021.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said the vessel would be a vital addition to marine rescue services in the Mid West this summer.

“Marine Rescue Jurien Bay are a busy group and provide a very important service to the local community. This vessel gives them another tool to keep people safe,” Commissioner Klemm said.

“The ability to launch this vessel from the beach and transport by road will help volunteers respond quicker to a range of maritime incidents.

“We’re extremely pleased that the volunteers who use this boat have had a say in how the vessel is designed and built.

“That way when it comes into service the boat is suited to the local conditions and to the needs of the volunteers who will ultimately use it to keep the community safe.”

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Media Contact: DFES Media and Corporate Communications 9395 9543.