Job numbers are on the rise for Volunteer Marine Rescue volunteers.
The local organisation has been tasked to a growing number of activations and tows, mainly for breakdowns.
Bundaberg President Rod Studholme says the past financial year was their busiest yet.
“We had 50 activations which is almost one a week and as part of those activations we assisted 93 people to safety. Our radio operators also took 15,100 calls,” he says.
Mr Studholme says registering and logging on with the service can make all the difference for boaties who run into trouble on the water.
“Tell us what your vessel is, how many people you’ve got on board, where you’re going to and what time you’re due back and we’ll ensure that if you’re not back by the time that you say you’re coming back and we can’t contact you then we’ll initiate search action,” he says.
VMR receives some government funding but is otherwise run by volunteers and funds from the community.
Last year the service went through almost 12,000 litres of petrol and heightened fuel prices are expected to have an impact.
Mr Studholme says with the rise in job numbers volunteers would appreciate any support.
“We are reliant on our community to support us and our volunteers need to raise about $45,000 a year,” he says.
Image: Facebook/ Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg
