The brand new Volunteer Marine Rescue vessel to serve Kangaroo Island arrived at Penneshaw on the SeaLink ferry on Nov. 16, 2022.<br /><br />The 8.6-metre aluminium boat, built by Nautic Star in Lonsdale, Adelaide, features an enclosed cabin and special plumb bow to cut through waves.<br /><br />Due to the plumb bow, Nautic Star vessels typically have a water line length about 8 per cent longer than a vessel with a traditional stem profile.<br /><br />It has twin white Yamaha 250-horsepower, 4.2-litre V6 motors.<br /><br />The vessel comes it with own Isuzu 110-120 truck, with a fuel tank in the back.<br /><br />The vessel will be operated by the Kangaroo Island branch of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and be based at its shed in Kingscote, central to all launching points.<br /><br />Branch members, including commander Ian Boxer, travelled over the mainland to bring the vessel back to KI. <br /><br />"It's what termed as a plumb bow hull, which means more hull on the water, extending length, you have a much better ride with great wave penetrating capabilities," Mr Boxer said.<br /><br />"It will serve this community and the community beyond well into the foreseeable future." <br /><br />The vessel to be operated by the Coast Guard volunteers will replace the old ex police launch, the Pedro Warman, that the branch has used since 2008.<br /><br />The Volunteer Coast Guard is always looking for new members, and anyone interested can attend the branch shed on the third Wednesday of every month.<br /><br />The branch also thanked SeaLink ferry company for sponsoring the truck and boats trip over from the mainland. <br /><br />"We are grateful for them getting the boat over to the Island," Mr Boxer said.
