The group will begin operating in a temporary base later this week, following an enormous response from local authorities, businesses and the community in the wake of last weekend’s fire.

The unit lost its harbourside base when it was gutted in the early hours of Sunday, October 6.

Police are still investigating the fire, which is being treated as suspicious. 

Since the fire, the marine radio room has been operating its service from the Ulladulla Game Fishing Club.

Unit Commander Ken Lambert said the unit’s members wanted to thank the community for the marvellous support they had received since the fire.

“Coates Hire Ulladulla has generously provided us with two demountable buildings for as long as we need them,” he said.

“These have now been installed on top of the bank behind our existing building. We’ll use one as our radio room and the other for administration.

“Our electrician will be coming to run power to the site and the radios should be installed today and aerials on Thursday, so we should be up and running before the end of the week.”

Mr Lambert said the unit was still looking for a venue to hold its regular members’ meetings.

He said the unit’s volunteers were very grateful for the response from the community.

“There are so many people we need to thank, starting with the Ulladulla Game Fishing Club, which has allowed us to operate from its facility since the day after the fire,” he said.

“Coates Hire Ulladulla has lent us the two buildings, Telstra’s Area Manager organised us special phone equipment, Officeworks gave us a discount on new computers, Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash and all our local politicians have been helping us.

“Council approved a development application for the temporary base in less than 24 hours. The list goes on and on.”

Mr Lambert said visitors to the unit’s weekend markets had been particularly generous in their donations to the unit.

“The community has been a great support. It’s really kept the members’ morale up,” he said.