A PORT MacDonnell fishing industry leader has called on authorities to dump plans for a dedicated marine rescue service at the seaside town, claiming the commercial fleet is “ready and able” to take on the role.
Port MacDonnell Professional Fisherman’s Association president Roger Cutting said “common sense” must prevail given the hefty price-tag to get the project off the ground.
He said he received support from commercial fishers putting their hands up to be part of a coordinated “search and rescue” during the fishing season and winter off-peak period.
The push for a marine rescue service reignited last week following the sinking of a former dolphin cruise boat 30km off the Port MacDonnell coastline.
Mr Cutting yesterday weighed into the issue, debunking comments in the media that commercial fishers were not properly trained to undertake search and rescues.
“The proposed seven metre rescue boat they are looking at would not to be able to withstand the rough conditions out to sea,” Mr Cutting said.
“I have spoken to fishers – including a number of fishers with Victorian licences – who are all willing in the winter time to go out and rescue boats.”
He warned response times would be much faster from the commercial fleet than a rescue service.
Mr Cutting said not one life had been lost at sea during a search and rescue effort by a local commercial fisher.
He said the rescue off the coast last week by a commercial skipper demonstrated how the industry could respond swiftly to an unfolding emergency.
“It was only five to 10 minutes and the fishing boat was gone heading out to rescue people off the sinking boat,” he said.
“We just need to look at coordination by the emergency services sector, which would include police and the State Emergency Service.”
Mr Cutting said commercial fishers were highly trained in ship-board safety, including getting in and out of life rafts and onto boats.
Ideally, he said the search and rescue base could be established at the Port MacDonnell police station.
While emergency crews could identify a location on the GPS, he said local knowledge of the ocean was crucial.
Mr Cutting also rejected suggestions fishermen could risk their lives during rescue missions, stating skippers were highly trained in the area.
This training included sea rescues and “man overboard” situations.
“We are at the forefront of it because we have the local knowledge, we would be a step ahead of any marine rescue service,” he said.
“John Howard – who rescued the people off the boat last week – showed how skillful skippers were pulling up alongside boats,” Mr Cutting said.
“All skippers have training in this area and are used to pulling up alongside gear – they do it all the time.”
Mr Cutting also questioned who would pay for the operating costs of the proposed marine rescue service and whether it would push up council rates.
“Fishers are happy to go out and give their time,” he said.
Mr Cutting said commercial fishers could also handle emergencies closer to shore because they all had large dinghies.
But Grant District Mayor Richard Sage said the decision to establish a marine rescue service was a decision for the wider community, not just the fishing sector.
He said it was important rescuers were appropriately trained and the service was well coordinated to attend incidents.
Mr Sage said some fishermen left the district during winter.
He said the fishing fleet did a “really good” job during emergencies, but a dedicated marine rescue service needed to be fully explored so “all bases are covered”.
Mr Sage said the service would be funded through the Emergency Service Levy, not council rates.
“This is an opportunity to get some of this money back into our region,” he said.
He said a small committee had been set up to work through the project, but he conceded more volunteers were needed to get it off the ground.
“It is now up to us to drive it and hopefully for the minister to sign off for some funding,” Mr Sage said.
