A newly refurbished rescue boat has been extensively damaged after being accidentally struck by another vessel while berthed at the Port of Eden in New South Wales, Australia, just days before she was due to be officially welcomed into service.
Marine Rescue NSW 10.4-metre boat Eden 30 was struck while secured at her berth in the early morning of Monday, August 31.
No one was on board at the time and no one was injured.
The collision caused significant structural damage to the vessel’s hull and superstructure, including the cabin and deck.
The vessel had been due to be officially welcomed to the Marine Rescue NSW fleet on Monday, September 7. However, that ceremony has now been postponed indefinitely.
A shipwright and a vessel surveyor have been engaged to assess the damage and determine the vessel’s future.
“This is a heartbreaking setback for our volunteers at Marine Rescue Eden,” said Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews. “Our rescue vessel was caught between the vessel that struck it and the jetty, resulting in a significant impact and causing extensive damage.
"To see it suffer such extensive damage before we could even officially welcome it to our fleet is incredibly disappointing. Thankfully, the most important thing is that nobody was on board and nobody was injured when the collision occurred."
Andrews said Marine Rescue NSW's priority now is supporting the Marine Rescue Eden volunteers, ensuring operational capability is maintained and completing the damage and insurance assessments.
Eden 30 was given to Marine Rescue NSW in March after many years of service with the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command.
Originally built in 2006, the Steber cabin cruiser underwent a comprehensive interior and exterior refurbishment on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with Marine Rescue NSW making a significant financial investment to bring the vessel up to modern operational standards.
The boat arrived in Eden by truck in July, with volunteers undertaking induction and training before she entered operational service.
Despite the setback, Marine Rescue Eden volunteers were back responding to the community within hours of the incident. Later that same morning, Marine Rescue Eden's boat Xray 23 assisted a boater who had suffered engine failure
“Xray 23 will continue to provide coverage across Twofold Bay while the assessments are completed, with Marine Rescue Merimbula providing extended coverage for offshore rescues," added Commissioner Andrews.
“We are also looking at options for an interim replacement rescue vessel at Eden.”
Marine Rescue NSW said Eden 30’s future will be determined once the damage and insurance assessments have been completed.