MSAR receives funding for 2019-20

22 July 2019

22 July 2019

Marine Search and Rescue in Victoria has received a total of $1.9 million of funding of Parliamentary Accounts and Estimates Committee for the 2019-20 financial year. 

The funding has been provided to MSAR volunteer units to support their ongoing operating costs and ensure that they can respond to approximately 1,400 incidents every year.

In total, the amount that will be distributed directly to MSAR units for 2019-20 is $1.078 million, representing an increase of over $300,000 from 2018-19. This means all MSAR units will either increase or maintain their budget from the last 12 months. 

“In giving our people the equipment they need, they can do the job to the best of their ability,” Acting Emergency Management Commissioner Deb Abbott said.

“This allows our MSAR volunteers to focus on their core aim, which is to be ready and able to assist with marine search and rescue and protecting their local communities.”

This funding is designed to maintain and support training programs, fund day-to-day MSAR operations (such as fuel, service and repairs, lease costs) and maintain vessels and other equipment in best state of readiness. The funding is designed to act in conjunction to each MSAR unit’s own fundraising initiatives.