Danial Thain has left Port Stephens.
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The Marine Rescue vessel, now owned by ECA Maritime College, was escorted out of the Port on Thursday morning.
A flotilla made up with police, RFS and other Marine Rescue vessels were part of the procession which began at the Nelson Bay marina, went past Shoal Bay and out past the heads.
About a dozen people stood at the Shoal Bay jetty to see Danial Thain sail out.
The Danial Thain has served in Port Stephens since 1999. Before that, it had served along the Scottish Coast with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for 21 years.
Port Stephens Marine Rescue unit said that in the past 17 years the Danial Thain, along with the unit’s other vessels, have been involved with more than 2000 rescues and saved more than 4400 lives.
Danial Thain was replaced in June 2016 by a 32-foot Steber named John Thompson, a fast-offshore rescue vessel capable of reaching more than 30 knots.
“We are sorry to see Danial Thain go, but it couldn’t have found a more appropriate home, training tomorrow’s commercial masters and crews in Queensland,” Port Stephens Marine Rescue unit commander Lee Uebergang said.
Danial Thain was set to sail on Wednesday. However, poor weather conditions delayed its departure a day.
The vessel left Nelson Bay about 8am on Thursday. It will make a two day journey to Brisbane where it will be used by ECA Maritime College for training.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
