One of the new boats that are being rolled out across NSW. Picture: FRNSW
THE NSW Government is rolling out 19 new HAZMAT boats worth $1.58 million to Fire and Rescue NSW units across the state.
The hazardous materials (HAZMAT) boats are to contain oil, diesel and other pollutant spills in rivers and lakes.
Each 4.9m-long vessel can tow and deploy absorbent and containment booms and carry recovery equipment such as pumps and booms.
They can hold up to four people, according to a FRNSW spokesman. The boats also feature a V-nose pump and shallow draught.
The new boats will replace a 15-year-old fleet under a $18.6m FRNSW Fleet replacement program.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib says the new boats will be safer.
“The upgraded vessels reinforce our commitment to protecting communities … these new and improved vessels are not only safer for crew members but are also fitted out with advanced emissions control technologies to help reduce impacts on the environment,” he says.
“Over coming months, these vessels will be positioned across the state in locations that enable rapid deployment, helping protect our waterways from hazardous materials and pollutants,” he says.
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell says that the new boats strengthen the agency’s HAZMAT response.
“HAZMAT operators undergo rigorous training to meet the Australian Maritime Safety Authority standards, ensuring our crews are equipped with the best practices and tools to tackle complex maritime incidents,” he says.
Three boats have already been delivered to units at Bathurst, Newcastle and Shellharbour.
Other units to get them include those at Batemans Bay, Berkeley Vale, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Eden, Goonellabah, Leeton, Lithgow, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Tweed Heads and Wagga Wagga.
The new boats can deploy at any time with response times of under two hours, the government says.
They are also fitted with advanced emissions technology.
The government says the crews of the HAZMAT vessels will undergo rigorous training at Berkeley Vale by the end of this year.
The remaining boats are due to be rolled out by June 2025.
