NSW: New patrol boats for NSW waterways
Wed Jul 29 17:03:07 EST 2009
SYDNEY, July 29 AAP - Five new boats have been added to NSW Maritime's fleet to conduct patrols along the state's waterways and coastline.
The NSW government has spent $750,000 on the Australian-made vessels - a 7.4-metre catamaran, three 8.1m express cruisers and a 4.8m rigid inflatable boat.
They will be deployed in the Sydney metropolitan, Hunter and north coast regions.
A spokesman for Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the boats were purchased to "increase the profile and presence of NSW Maritime safety officers on the waterways" rather than as a response to any specific safety issue.
"It's not a response to anything in any particular area at all," he said.
"It's all about renewing equipment and infrastructure."
NSW Maritime conducted more than 45,000 safety checks in in 2008.
Its work targets a range of issues including boat wash, navigation lights, on-board equipment and life jackets.
