Locked out Eviction

							Media Release
Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
Released by:        Ken McManus PR & Marketing Officer
Release date:       27 May 2009




Fuel service change adds $150 to every refuel for Merimbula Coastal Patrol

An unexpected change in policy by fuel supplier, Caltex, to cease diesel fuel delivery to vessels at Lake
Merimbula will cost the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol an extra $150 each time the tanks of lifeboat
“Sapphire Rescue” are filled.

Coastal Patrol has been advised that the tanker fuelling procedure that has been in place for some 28 years
for vessels in Merimbula, will be ceased. Coastal Patrol will now have to travel to the port of Eden to refuel
“Sapphire Rescue”. This additional travel will add an extra 120 litres of fuel to each re-fill to cover the
distance from Merimbula to Eden and back.

Coastal Patrol Merimbula Division Commander Barry Harrison, said “Our records show that we filled the fuel
tanks of our lifeboat an average of 17 times each year. This will mean an unexpected annual extra cost to
our budget of $2550.00 (at $1.25 / litre) that will make a big hole in our financial planning.”

“I don’t have a full understanding of why this change has been introduced”, said Barry Harrison, “I’ve seen no
formal announcement from Caltex that explains their decision. However I do know that local charter boat
operators are very concerned and have met with our local member Andrew Constance to brief him on the
problems this will be causing them.”

Coastal Patrol Merimbula is a vital link in the Volunteer Marine Rescue Safety Net on the Far South Coast for
both local recreational and small commercial craft as well as the many cruising vessels that travel along the
NSW coast between Victoria or Tasmania and Queensland waters.

“It’s important that we are able to maintain our place in the Volunteer Marine Rescue Safety Net.” said Barry
Harrison. “Volunteers do just on 70% of all marine rescues in NSW and the boating community depends on
us to be ready in case of any emergencies. Unless there is a re-think on this matter we will simply have to
wear the extra cost and increase our level of fund-raising to make up the difference. But I can tell you this; I’d
rather be putting that extra money towards a new lifeboat.”



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  For further information please contact:

  Barry Harrison, Division Commander          Mob: 0418 453 232
  or
  Ken McManus, PR & Marketing Officer         Mob: 0411 870 777

  Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
  Merimbula
  Anglers Club
  Main Street, Merimbula, NSW 2548

  Tel: 02 6495 3331 Fax: 02 6495 3027 E: merimbula@coastalpatrol.com.au