Gold Sponsorship Powers New Rescue Vessel for Lake Macquarie

Daracon Group is proud to announce its Gold Sponsorship of Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie, furthering its commitment to shaping the communities they work across. The partnership is part of a new joint $100,000 funding agreement alongside McDonald Jones as Platinum Partner and Trinity Point Marina as a fellow Gold Partner. This collaboration will assist with the acquisition and operation of Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie’s newest state-of-the-art rescue vessel, Lake Macquarie 31 (LM31).

The LM31 is an 8.5-metre Naiad offshore-capable vessel and was delivered to Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie in late 2024. Built at a cost of $680,000, the vessel has undergone rigorous trials and crew training to meet Marine Rescue NSW’s stringent operational standards. With its advanced capabilities, the LM31 enhances the unit’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies, both on the expansive waters of Lake Macquarie—Australia’s largest saltwater lake—and offshore.

Supporting Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie reflects Daracon’s dedication to the safety and wellbeing of the community. "Marine Rescue NSW performs an invaluable service, ensuring the safety of locals and visitors alike on our waterways," said David Mingay, Executive Director at Daracon Group. "We’re honoured to contribute to this life-saving mission and to be part of a collaboration that underscores the strength and generosity of the Hunter region."

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie is the busiest of Marine Rescue NSW’s 46 units, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. In 2024 alone, the unit’s Radio Operations Centre at Swansea managed 30,800 calls, including 653 calls for help. These efforts included responding to emergencies such as capsized vessels, grounded boats, engine failures, and even intensive search operations.

The LM31 replaces an older catamaran-style vessel and joins the unit’s fleet, which includes the LM30 (a 10-metre Naiad vessel) and two jet ski vessels. The enhanced fleet ensures the unit’s capacity to meet increasing demands during peak boating seasons, providing timely and effective responses to save lives.

Unit Commander Jim Wright highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships in sustaining Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie’s operations. “Our new Platinum and Gold Partners are all iconic Hunter-based companies that understand the critical role our 180 volunteers play in the region,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have Daracon Group on board as part of this meaningful initiative.”

The collaboration between Daracon Group, McDonald Jones, and Trinity Point Marina demonstrates the power of community and corporate partnerships in supporting essential services. As the new LM31 takes to the waters, Daracon is proud to stand alongside other sponsors in backing Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie’s mission to save lives and ensure safer waterways for all.