The Port Fairy Historic Lifeboat committee has requested more room along the Moyne River to safely launch and park their vessel from.
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The space used by the committee is being shared by the Port Fairy Marine Rescue Services vessel, which is moored at the site, which is at the rear of the Port Fairy Yacht Club.
The historic lifeboat committee are thrilled to have a bigger rescue vessel in service for the town, but believe authorities must now do their bit to expand facilities to make life easier for all.
Committee member Colin May said the aim was to lobby the state government for funding to extend the pontoon at the now crowded site on the river by 10 metres so the historic lifeboat and rescue vessel can co-exist comfortably.
"The older, smaller rescue boat was able to be kept in the shed but the bigger boat now needs to be moored, which is understandable," Mr May said.
"It has reduced the amount of room we have to launch or bring the lifeboat in.
"The lifeboat is under oar and strongly influenced by currents and winds so it is very difficult to work with in tight spaces.
"Having 10 metres extra on the pontoon would make it a lot safer and reduce the risk of any damage to either boat.
"With the arrival of the new rescue boat, the pontoon is certainly a community asset that requires an upgrade and hopefully the state government is keen to make that happen."
The committee has informed Moyne Shire Council of its intentions to seek an extended landing base.
Another option put forward as a possible solution to the problem was for the lifeboat to use the public boat ramp on the river.
But Mr May said unpredictable access made this not ideal.
"This is very well used by the public so it would be hard for us to get access to it on the regular basis we require," he said.
"Outside of COVID, we try and get the boat out on the water each Saturday, if conditions are favourable."
The committee is currently using the wharf at the back of the Port of Port Fairy depot to launch and set-off.
"We are very thankful for this but it isn't really a viable long-term access," Mr May said.
The historic lifeboat, built in 1856, is the oldest working vessel in Australia.
