Sea rescue chief onboard
WA south coast sea rescue groups have welcomed the appointment of an Albany-based district marine manager to assist them in their daily rescue operations.
DFES district marine manager Daniel Pell (pictured) has been selected to fulfil the new role and support sea rescue volunteer crews from Augusta to Esperance.
Mr Pell said he’s been working in the role since September and is looking forward to work with the dedicated volunteers in the region.
“We want to better assist them throughout each incident and provide them with better facilities and ongoing training,” he said.
“Previously there were only two district managers Statewide, but with extra funding from the State Government we are now able to have four district managers spread across the regions.”
Mr Pell said since taking up the post he had been involved in several marine incidents in the region, including two incidents off The Gap.
“Albany is quite a high-profile area, and across the State in the last month there has been three marine incidents as well,” he said.
Mr Pell said he planned to further assist local volunteer groups and ensure they receive all the necessary equipment and support to do their job well.
“I will take some of the onerous tasks away from the volunteers such as applying for funding from several different organisations and fundraising to come up with the money for a vessel refit or replacement,” he said. “What I’m looking forward to most in the next few years is seeing the marine volunteers getting the credit and support they deserve.”
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