A curious ‘solution’ has been proposed to help a vital marine rescue group overcome a build-up of sand in a changing waterway.
The directors of AirLift Hovercraft have suggested that they can assist the Caloundra Coast Guard in times of need, at Pumicestone Passage.
The proposal follows a tidal breakthrough at Bribie Island in January, which has led to sand clogging up parts of the passage, at times limiting the effectiveness of the Coast Guard. The group’s pleas to State Government for a dredging trial have fallen on deaf ears.
AirLift Hovercraft co-director Jim Liaskos said the versatility of the business’ vehicles could help save lives when rescuers were restricted by sand at low tide.
“We think there is a quick solution to Caloundra’s current situation, but it will take a little bit of lateral thinking,” he said.
“In relation to the Caloundra Bar, they might consider the use of hovercraft as a much more time and cost-effective solution, compared to dredging.”
Mr Liaskis said the vehicles could supplement Coast Guard’s existing resources at low tide “and when the water/land terrain limits the ability to deploy conventional marine craft”.
“Sand-laden waters will always suffer the problem of silting up and shift sand bars,” he said.
“Conventional approaches are to dredge (and then re-dredge) or build civil works to change the landscape permanently.
“Hovercraft allow for an immediate solution, without the very expensive capital works, and operate regardless of how the landscape changes due to natural tidal influences.”
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Mr Liaskos said the Gold Coast-based business was one of the world’s leading hovercraft makers. He believed the vehicles weren’t utilised enough in Australia.
“Hovercraft is a widely-used option internationally, to great effect, however Australian authorities seem to dismiss this here,” he said.
“We’ve recently written to all relevant authorities (SES and marine rescue groups) to consider hovercraft as a complement to their existing rescue fleet, with little response to date, and despite strong feedback from frontline personnel who see the great benefit they could derive.”
Business co-director Paul Mackley said the vehicles were relatively eco-friendly.
“Hovercraft have almost no negative environmental impact over the surface they travel, and the environmental footprint of a hovercraft is less than a seagull standing on one leg,” he said.
AirLift Hovercraft and Caloundra Coast Guard have held preliminary talks about the usual proposal.
Caloundra Coast Guard commander Roger Pearce said further studies would need to be done before hovercrafts could be seriously considered as a rescue vehicle in the area.
“It’s a big expense, it doesn’t tow and it’s basically just to go and help people in still water,” he said. “You can’t use them at sea. They’re not stable enough.”
“So, it’s basically something that would be a big expense for one small part of our job.
“There would have to be a cost study on it. It’s not something we’d entertain at the moment.”
The proposal would need to be considered by the State Government, which is in the process of streamlining marine rescue services.
Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue groups are set to join forces to establish Marine Rescue Queensland – a single unified rescue capability on all of Queensland’s waterways, with additional funding and equipment – working with the Queensland Police Service.
Read the recent story: Safety overhaul: how new-look marine rescue unit might operate locally and beyond
It’s understood AirLift’s proposal could be looked at by emergency services and police after the streamlining of marine rescue services is complete.
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