A very busy month for Coast Guard

After receiving our new Primary Rescue vessel, she was put to work almost immediately. The crews had very little time to get comfortable with the new girl as we had over a dozen call-outs during the month.

Members of the public were invited to the naming and commissioning ceremony. A good number of the community took up the offer to inspect the vessel and join us for refreshments at the Yacht Club after.

Our thanks go out to all those people who contributed in our fundraising efforts, as well as our corporate sponsors who helped get us “over the line”: Gympie Regional Council, Madill Auto Group, Coastwide Charters, and Mt. Pleasant Social Club.

Joining us on the day were representatives of AVCG National and Sunshine Coast Squadron Executive Committees. Thanks also go out to the Honourable Tony Perrett, MP for Gympie (and Patron of QF17) who opened the ceremonies and reiterated a commitment to represent us and our concerns in State Parliament.

Mayor Mick Curran, representing Gympie Regional Council (a major sponsor of our vessel) had the honour in naming our new vessel which now proudly sports the Gympie Region name and logo.

Commissioning the vessel was made official by Mr R. Hood of the National Coast Guard Executive, and Pastor John Van der Heijde finished the ceremonies with a blessing of our fleet and wishing all our volunteers who serve the Cooloola Region safe passage and fair seas.

During the next two months, public courses in Marine Radio, Coastal Navigation, Night Navigation, White Water and Bar Crossing, as well as First Aid, are being planned, scheduled and filling up fast.

For more information on these programmes and more on Marine Assist or volunteering your services to Coast Guard, please contact our base on 5486 4390.

We need your help keep our boats afloat!