Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Southport receives Trusts grant

by Jennifer Crooks on 22 Oct 2013 CYCA SOLAS Trusts, established in 1999 after the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Race, has provided Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Southport with $8,000 to be utilised for their antenna repair project.

'The QF1 antenna upgrade project consists of replacing the ageing and well used VHF and 27Mhz antenna, cable and connectors with high quality stainless steel and fibreglass antennas, cable and connectors designed to deliver reliable performance for many years in the harsh marine environment,' Ken Stanley, Flotilla Commander said.

All of the new equipment will be mounted on QF1’s 32 meter tall radio mast to provide the best possible radio coverage to all users of the Gold Coast regional waterways.

Australian Volunteer Coast Guard QF1 Flotilla has been providing marine services to the Gold Coast region for nearly 40 years. These services include vessel breakdown assist and 24 hour listening watch on VHF, MF& HF frequencies for distress and urgent calls.

With a coverage area extending from southern end of Moreton Bay to the NSW Border and 15 nautical miles seaward, having quality radio equipment and antenna is vital.

CYCA SOLAS Trusts Chairman Matt Allen announced the funding: 'We are very pleased to provide AVCG Southport with this grant as part of their ongoing antenna upgrade project. This equipment is vital to ensure effective delivery of coast guard services in the Gold Coast area.

'This grant achieves one of the goals of the CYCA SOLAS Trusts - to actively contribute to key volunteer marine, search and rescue organizations Australia-wide,' Allen said.

About the SOLAS Trusts:
The CYCA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Safety of Life at Sea Trusts (SOLAS) was set up as a charitable trust in 1999 as a result of the tragic events of the 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The CYCA SOLAS Trusts objectives are to:

• Provide assistance (financial and other) to immediate families of those lost at sea during Yachting Australia sanctioned races
• Make donations and provide support to search and rescue organisations
• Foster and fund research and training to improve safety and rescue procedures and equipment used in ocean races.

Since they were established in 1998 following the loss of life in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race that year, the Trusts have donated more than $848,000 to organisations Australia-wide and the Trusts continues to explore new organisations to support.