Answers sought as Port Welshpool Coastguard miss out on funding
Port Welshpool Coast Guard Flotilla faces another year operating its aging 25-year-old ocean rescue vessel after missing out on state government funding, despite Emergency Management Victoria's vessel replacement program declaring it "unfit for purpose."
The Noosa cat CG20 is the only ocean-going rescue vessel available to undertake offshore rescues along hundreds of kilometres of dangerous and exposed coastline between Cape Schanck and Lakes Entrance, but has been frequently breaking down and is described as "unreliable" to conduct rescues.
During the last 24 months, the vessel has been out of action for 60 days due to reliability issues. Over the recent busy Christmas period, it was unable to respond to a rescue after its steering system failed once again.
The state government recently announced funding for new rescue vessels for Coast Guard Western Port and the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, but Port Welshpool was overlooked despite its vessel's poor condition.
Port Welshpool Coast Guard Flotilla Commander Robin Street said the flotilla is very disappointed.
"We are very disappointed that the Government has not funded a replacement vessel whilst at the same time funding two other new craft - one at Westernport, that was also deemed unfit for purpose and in poor condition and required replacement under the program, and Southern Peninsula rescue squad with two vessels described as fit for purpose and in fair condition," Commander Street said.
"With all our ongoing issues with CG20 we can't trust that our 25-year-old cat will be able to carry out successful rescues."
Port Welshpool marina yacht owner Rob Wiencke described the situation as a crisis.
"This situation is now a crisis! It is appalling that the state government has left 190 miles of Victoria's coast fully exposed," Mr Wiencke said.
"I had no idea the Coast Guard's CG20 was in such bad shape and not fully operational. Over a recent weekend over 400 boats went out from the Port Welshpool ramp and were unwittingly left exposed to the local rescue boat being in such bad shape and quite possibly unable to undertake rescues."
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien, expressed confusion and disappointment at the decision.
"While I am always happy to see funds allocated to improve community safety, I am extremely frustrated to see no funding allocated to Port Welshpool, despite its vessel being well beyond its expected service life and frequently unavailable due to maintenance issues," Mr O'Brien said.
"My understanding is that the current vessels used by the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad in particular are in far better shape than that in Port Welshpool."
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP acknowledged the volunteers' dedication and said he is actively advocating within government for a replacement vessel.
"The Port Welshpool Coast Guard are an incredibly dedicated group of volunteers who play a critical role in keeping boaters safe across Corner Inlet and Wilsons Promontory," Mr McIntosh said.
"I've met with the volunteers and thank them again for their community service, and am actively advocating within government for a replacement vessel."
He said he would continue working with Port Welshpool Coast Guard and encouraged them to work with Emergency Management Victoria through the MSAR Office to progress funding proposals through the state budget process.
"Our Marine Search & Rescue volunteers across the state respond to more than 1,000 incidents each year and we will always back them in with the funding and equipment they need," Mr McIntosh said. Cara Schultz
