A PONTOON extension at Weinam Creek later this month could mean quicker dispatch times for Redland Bay Coast Guard vessels.
Group spokeswoman Lynn Neven said it could take up to 30 minutes to launch the rigid and ribbed inflatable boats stored at the Coast Guard base.
While QF7’s big cat was moored at the existing pontoon, Ms Neven said the group’s other two vessels needed to be pulled by tractor to the nearby Weinam Creek ramp, which delayed deployment.
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She said space for QF7’s three boats would be created after the pontoon’s $60,000 upgrade was finished, ensuring the vessels could be dispatched quickly.
Work to install an extra pile and the pontoon platforms would be scheduled across two weekdays at the end of this or early next month but was not expected to affect other boaties.
“Coast Guard Redland Bay (QF7) has obtained government approval to expand the existing pontoon at Weinam Creek Harbour, Redland Bay,” Ms Neven said.
“No interruption to normal waterway traffic is expected.”
Ms Neven said the project had secured more than $20,000 in federal funding about two years ago via Bowman MP Andrew Laming’s Shark Tank grants initiative.
The remainder of the cost was taken from money raised by Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Redland Bay vessels were deployed about 300 times last year between November 2016 and November 2017.
For more information about Coast Guard Redland Bay, visit their Facebook page here.
