Community helps secure new boat

Posted on ABC News Monday 3 October 2005

The St Helens Marine Rescue Association, formerly the coastal patrol, has a new asset to help save lives.

The $90,000 boat, the Break O’Day, took to the water for the first time this week.

The new boat is proof the former coastal patrol has landed on its feet after management seized its assets and stripped $30,000 from its bank account last year.

The money was eventually returned and the State Government bought back the assets.

The deputy commander of the St Helens Marine Rescue, Ian Hollingsworth, says the community contributed $68,000 towards the purchase of the Break O’Day.

“We couldn’t do it without the community, St Helens is absolutely fantastic when it comes to this sort of thing – we’re just forever grateful to the whole town and surrounding area,” he said