New $80,000 Vessel Launched in Newcastle to Protect Against Water Pollution

The NSW Government has made a significant investment in a new hazardous materials (HAZMAT) vessel for Newcastle, aimed at limiting oil, diesel, and other pollutant spills.

---

This new addition is part of a broader fleet expansion, with 19 vessels being rolled out across Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) units statewide. The upgraded vessel replaces a 15-year-old boat and offers a larger, more stable platform for crews to operate from.

The $1.58 million investment in this fleet is part of the NSW Government’s larger $18.6 million commitment to the FRNSW Fleet Replacement Program for 2024-25. As Jihad Dib MP, Minister for Emergency Services, highlighted, “The upgraded vessels reinforce our commitment to protecting communities, and these new and improved vessels are not only safer for crew members but are also fitted out with advanced emissions control technologies to help reduce impacts on the environment.”

Each vessel is designed to deploy absorbent and containment booms, which help limit the spread of hazardous spills. They also carry specialized equipment for containing and recovering contaminants, minimizing environmental harm during incidents. “Over coming months, these vessels will be positioned across the state in locations that enable rapid deployment, helping protect our waterways from hazardous materials and pollutants,” Dib added.

Newcastle is one of the first locations to receive a vessel, along with Bathurst and Shellharbour. Additional units will be rolled out to locations including Batemans Bay, Berkely Vale, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, and more, ensuring that the vessels are strategically positioned to respond within two hours.

Tim Crakanthorp MP, State Member for Newcastle, expressed the importance of this investment for the local community: “This new vessel is an important addition to the Newcastle and broader Hunter communities. Keeping our local waterways clean and safe is important, and this new and upgraded vessel will play a role in that.”

The vessels are equipped with advanced emissions technology, utilizing the most efficient controls to limit their environmental impact. Operators of the HAZMAT vessels undergo rigorous training to ensure preparedness for complex incidents. Training sessions are planned for teams in Berkeley Vale by the end of the year, with the remaining boats set to be deployed by June 2025.