Emergency Services Minister James Merlino visited Port Fairy on Thursday to announce the Port Fairy Marine Rescue Service, Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club, Portland Surf Lifesaving Club and Apollo Bay Ocean Rescue would receive new boats.

Victorian groups will also have their training, maintenance and insurance costs covered as part of the statewide $11.3 million funding that was announced in December. 

It is the first time the state government has invested in the sector. Previously groups had to rely on their own fund raising efforts and donations from the public and philanthropic trusts. 

The funding, over two years, is part of a wider program of reforms to improve governance and deliver better co-ordination in the marine search and rescue sector.

Port Fairy president Russell Lemke said knowing their fuel and training costs would be covered for the next two years was a relief and allowed them to focus on the job at hand.

“Having funding for training and  maintenance and all those things means we won’t have to go out and rattle tins as much,” Mr Lemke said. 

In the past few months the group has had its boat motor and life raft serviced, its compass re-calibrated and purchased protective wet weather clothing for its members coming to a total of $7000. “It all adds up and you’ve always got your hand in your pocket.” 

Warrnambool Coast Guard deputy floatilla commander Keith Prest said it was fantastic and the money would help them train their members. 

Mr Prest said their annual insurance bill was up to $13,000 per year and the boat used 120 litres of diesel each hour it was at sea which was costly. “Up until now the ways of recouping that money was relying on donations,” Mr Prest said. 

Portland Coast Guard flotilla commander Peter Starick said they “ran on charitable contributions and insurance was a huge issue”.

 “It’s quite expensive,” Mr Starick said. “Our boat was on the slipway in October and that was $10,000 in maintenance.”