The event will be held at the Marine Rescue Base on Lighthouse Road, Nelson Bay and kicks off at 6pm.

“The night is about promoting membership,” Deputy Unit Commander Neil Hansford said.

“Nationally, the guidelines for training have been tightened up considerably and so it’s important that people interested in serving  know the processes and pathways involved.

“For example, many people aspire to serve on the rescue boats.

“We’ll gladly train people, but under Marine Rescue Port Stephens Operating Procedures, crew members are now required to serve six months in the radio control room before they can get on the boats.

“The information night is aimed at giving people all the facts about processes like that, so they can make informed decisions.”

Marine Rescue Port Stephens has been faithfully serving the boating community of the local area since 1982. Its primary focus is to save lives on open and closed waters.

In the past year alone, Port Stephens volunteers have responded to 200 incidents including almost 30 life-threatening emergencies.

That’s on top of maintaining and operating all facets of the base, including the radio communications centre which operates 24/7 365 days of the year, two rescue boats, the lighthouse grounds and cottage and the gift shop.

Port Stephens is one of 45 Marine Rescue bases in NSW and currently boasts 200 members, 35 per cent of whom are female, across an age group from 19-92.

“We attract people from all backgrounds. No experience is needed, training is free, and there are many vocational skills that you will learn along the way - radio, navigation, advanced first aid with resuscitation. The training is recognised and transferable because Marine Rescue is a Registered Training Organisation.”

If you’d like to serve  in this dynamic organisation, come to the information night on January 18.

For more information, visit www.marinerescueportstephens.com.au.