New rescue boat to set sail

WARREN JONES
OF the three inflatable rescue boats Towradgi Surf Life Saving Club owns, only one is useable.

This, the club's best boat, is 10 years old and after copping the worst of the ocean’s fury for a decade, is now showing signs that its rescuing days are numbered.

Before summer is over though the current IRB will be able to settle into a much-reduced role, with a brand new boat due to come ashore at Towradgi in early 2008.

The club didn't have the money to go out and buy a new boat, but the generosity of the Phil Murray Sales Team and Bevan's Corrimal has meant they will soon have a much better ride for their great and frequent rescues and patrols.

Mr Murray and Bevan's Corrimal donated $6000 towards the new boat last week, with a further $6000 to be donated when the boat is delivered next year.

Craig Zulian from the club said Towradgi Surf Life Saving Club IRBs have saved countless lives over the years.

He said the new boat will be more reliable, and safer for everyone involved with it.

The newer boat will have much less chance of anything going wrong, he said.

Mr Murray said what it comes down to is that the surf club volunteers and their equipment and vehicles save lives.

“We (Bevan's Corrimal) are in the community here and we want to give back to the community, and really it's all about saving lives,” he said.

Mr Murray said while he doesn't have time to be personally involved in the surf club day-to-day, he can be part of the great work they do by donating money.

He said the members of the club were 'blown away' by the generosity of the donation.

Towradgi Surf Life Saving Club, which is very competitive in Surf Life Saving competitions, has applied to hold the state Inflatable Rescue Boat titles next year.