Whitsunday Sailing Club receive rescue boat donation

by Heidi Walton on 16 Dec 2013 With the recent donation of a large rescue boat to the Whitsunday Sailing Club Whitsunday waters will remain safer.

Wanting to help the club and wider community on the water, Cruise Whitsundays has just donated a five-metre RIB rescue boat to the club, which was accepted with open arms.

Cruise Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Nick Hortle heard the club had a high demand for multi-purpose boats which are frequently used for junior sailing, training, support vessels and general activities.

With the rescue boat available, Nick said it was a pleasure to offer the donation, which would be put to good use at the club.

'The opportunity to donate the RIB came up in a chance conversation with club officials during Airlie Race Week when they explained to us the club’s need for a rescue boat, initially to assist with junior sailing on the weekends,' Mr Hortle said.
'Cruise Whitsundays identified we had a RIB available that was ideally suited to this purpose,' he said.

'We are very pleased to provide the support in this way – club’s like the Whitsunday Sailing Club provide an outstanding and essential part of building and maintaining community spirit and in this particular case will help introduce young people to boating in the Whitsundays in a structured and safe manner.'

David Dias, who is a member of the Whitsunday Sailing Club Executive Committee, thanked Cruise Whitsundays for their efforts.

'During race week 2013, I had the pleasure to meet Roger Dold and Nick,' Mr Dias said.

'And on behalf of the club members, we thank Cruise Whitsundays for their wonderful efforts with the RIB rescue and general purpose boat which will assist the club greatly in day to day operations, courses, training and junior activities.'