The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Werribee is urging people to be water safe in the anticipated lead up to hot summer days.
The group is comprised entirely of volunteers who look after the municipality’s marine environment, respond to search and rescue requests and emergency call outs on the water, and educate the public about vital safety practices.
Media Section Officer Angelique Ford said the volunteers at the coast guard have already begun to notice an alarming trend.
“One thing we’re noticing is that after the extended lock-down people hadn’t been taking their boats out, and because they haven’t been maintained, they tend to be breaking down,” she said.
“If you’re going to be heading out on the water this summer please make sure your boat [is in good condition].”
Ms Ford said volunteers patrol the water every weekend, are on call 24/7 and are based out of a newly upgraded facility.
“We upgraded our volunteer training facilities, we’ve been able to run first aid courses, fire fighting training, we have a new shed, that’s really important that our boat is safe,” she said.
“These upgrades were really overdue, our volunteers were having to head down the street to use the public toilets down there.”
Ms Ford said the coast guard is “absolutely looking for volunteers” and a variety of jobs, both on land and on the sea, are available for people over the age of 18.
