Media Release
AMSA commissions third dedicated search and rescue aircraft
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s General Manager, Emergency Response Division , Mr David Baird, today commissioned AMSA’s third dedicated search and rescue aircraft, the Dornier 328 turbo-prop, Nemo 3, in Cairns.
Mr Baird said this dedicated search and rescue aircraft will greatly improve Australia’s maritime and aviation emergency and search and rescue response capabilities in Queensland and the offshore region.
“As each new Dornier comes on line, we will have an enhanced capability for AMSA to rapidly respond to emergency incidents across Australia. Nemo 3 will provide an additional search and rescue resource for the people of Queensland.”
The dedicated search and rescue service for Queensland is part of the $74 million funding package announced in the 2004 and 2005 Budgets to strengthen AMSA’s search and rescue capability around Australia.
The twin turbine engine Dornier 328 is fitted with the latest technology including Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera system, satellite communications and direction finding equipment to detect and home in on emergency beacon transmissions and radio distress calls, and by the end of the year surface search radar. Life rafts and other emergency equipment can be deployed from the Dornier to people in emergencies. The Dornier is capable of operating at speeds in excess of 600 kilometres per hour, in all weather conditions and will be ready to respond to an emergency within 30 minutes.
The Dornier is operated by AeroRescue Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Paspaley Group, who won the contracts to provide five aircraft for search and rescue services at strategic locations around the Australian coastline. AeroRescue already provides a dedicated search and rescue Dornier aircraft, Nemo 1 for AMSA in Darwin and Nemo 2 in Perth. The remaining two search and rescue aircraft are to be introduced in Melbourne in December 2006 and Brisbane in February 2007.
The Dornier is an important part of AMSA’s multi-disciplinary approach to maritime and aviation Emergency Response Division and will be available under a whole of Government approach to other agencies.
Media Contact:
Tracey Jiggins 0418164901