TWO Rocks Volunteer Marine Rescue Group (TRVMRG) has welcomed completion of an extra pontoon at Two Rocks Marina.
Commander Wayne Wyatt said the group would use the pontoon as a holding area as well as in emergency situations.
“The ramp itself will be beneficial to us in instances when there’s crowding on the main ramp; to put the boats up alongside the pontoon,” he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We will be able to use it if we have an accident or someone is hurt at sea; be able to take someone straight into the ambulance from the end of the ramp.”
Department of Transport (DoT) project delivery director Cameron Smith said the 18m pontoon, located 75m north of the recently expanded boat ramp, would be primarily used for passenger drop off and pick up.
Mr Smith said it would also serve as a temporary vessel holding area for TRVMRG adjacent to the expanded parking area and would provide additional safe access to and from vessels at peak times, reducing congestion and waiting times.
“Priority use of the pontoon will be shared with the TRVMRG after the removal of an impractical fixed jetty it previously used as part of its operations,” he said.
Earlier this year, DoT completed a $1.2 million staged upgrade of the launch facilities, nearly tripling the number of marked parking bays from 38 to 99.
Upgrades also doubled the facility’s launching capacity by widening the ramp to accommodate two distinct lanes.
Other changes included traffic management measures to help queuing and ease congestion, installing a central 50m floating jetty, realigning the revetment wall, new paths, lighting and signage.
The department delivered the project on time and under budget allowing for construction of the additional pontoon.
Mr Wyatt said the pontoon also helped improve accessibility to the water, and there was scope for more upgrades at the marina.
“Toilets down there and some wash-down facilities might be the things to look at in the future,” he said.
For information about volunteering with Two Rocks Volunteer Marine Rescue Group, call 9561 5777.