Marine Rescue Whitfords’ new boat RV Ken Blackie undergoing sea trials by builder Kirby Marine.
Camera IconMarine Rescue Whitfords’ new boat RV Ken Blackie undergoing sea trials by builder Kirby Marine. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

New look Marine Rescue Whitfords on show at open day

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

AS the weather warms up and boaties take to the ocean, Marine Rescue Whitfords is hosting an open day.

Visitors to the event on Sunday, December 1, will have the chance to see how the organisation operates and its new 10m Naiad rescue boat, RV Ken Blackie named after one of its longest serving volunteers.

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The boat is the most “high tech” of the group’s vessels costing more than $550,000, of which they contributed half of the funding, and features the new Marine Rescue branding being rolled out across the whole system from Wyndham to Esperance in a bid to make the rescue boats more recognisable and uniform.

The open day will kick off with the landing of a Police Air Wing helicopter and include inspections of a Water Police patrol vessel, flare demonstrations, OLD4NEW lifejacket upgrades and a 30-second challenge from the Department of Transport’s marine safety team, safety talks, and a display and update on the Ocean Reef Marina development.

Special guests will include Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan and Commissioner Darren Klemm, Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob, Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts, Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton and Hillarys MLA Peter Katsambanis.

The event will be held at Ocean Reef Boat Harbour from 11am to 3pm, with a sausage sizzle and coffee available.

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