Ulladulla’s nearby lakes and estuaries have been the responsibility of Marine Rescue in the past but the group has not had a suitable vessel to patrol the waters.

It previously relied on Marine Rescue Kioloa’s vessel which has proven to be a timely exercise.

Now it has a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), known as the Ulladulla10, capable of running in shallow waters.

Marine Rescue Ulladulla unit commander David Hall estimates that the new vessel can be transported to, and be on the water at Burrill Lake in less than 20 minutes and Lake Conjola in less than 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

The group will fund the vessel with support from the local community.

“Marine Rescue Ulladulla’s volunteers work very hard to fund raise, selling raffle tickets and running their monthly market day at the harbour,” Hall said. 

“Ongoing support through a project underway with crowd funding on the Bendigo Bank Communities website will provide a great opportunity for any community members to provide additional funding and enable all to get on board.”

Donations can also be taken at the Bendigo Bank Milton.

Marine Rescue Ulladulla has been involved in a few rescues on the lakes in the past with one notable incident a few years ago involving an elderly gentleman stranded for nearly nine hours in near-freezing conditions, Hall said.

“Luckily our members found him in time and all ended well but the result could have been very different if we hadn’t been notified,” he said.

“Boating on the lakes can be deceptively safe but rapidly changing weather conditions combined with engine failures, underwater obstacles and other hazards call for safety to be a major consideration for skippers and their crews.”

Marine Rescue Ulladulla encouraged all boaters to wear life jackets and to observe the laws appropriate to their vessel. 

Phone Marine Rescue Ulladulla on 4455 3403 if you have any boating safety issues, or 000 in an emergency.