Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking volunteer receives ultimate honour
by Marine Rescue NSW 9 Jan 16:56 AEDT
Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking volunteer Noel Parkinson has had a rescue vessel named in his honour © Sophie Galvin
Long-serving Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking volunteer and Life Member Noel Parkinson has today been recognised for his decades of loyal service by having a vessel named after him.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said rescue vessel Botany Hacking 32 will now also be known as the Noel Parkinson.
"The naming of a Marine Rescue NSW vessel is a significant honour, and Noel is thoroughly deserving of the recognition.
"For more than two decades, he has dedicated his time and skills to supporting the local boating community and saving lives on the water.
"Noel has been volunteering with Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking since February 2001 and is a highly respected and experienced member of the unit.
"As a Marine Rescue NSW Coxswain and Watch Officer, Noel has played a vital role in countless search and rescue missions. He is a former Unit Commander at Botany Port Hacking and is currently serving as Admin Officer and the Returning Officer for Marine Rescue NSW.
"Noel's dedication to service on and off the water is greatly appreciated, and Marine Rescue NSW is proud to name a rescue vessel in his honour," Commissioner Barrell said.
Botany Hacking 32, the Noel Parkinson, is a 10-metre Naiad built by Yamba Welding and Engineering in 2022. The vessel is powered by twin Suzuki 300-horsepower outboard engines, capable of reaching a top speed of 45 knots.
The Noel Parkinson can travel up to 30 nautical miles offshore and features a state-of-the-art suite of Raymarine navigation equipment, as well as vital search and rescue technology, including a FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera and side-scan and 3D sonar systems.
Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit Commander Aaron Blackwell said Mr Parkinson has held numerous key roles at the unit, consistently demonstrating exemplary leadership.
"His contributions are significant. Noel has mentored countless members, fostered their skills, and contributed to the success of Marine Rescue NSW. He has been recognised for his exceptional service with Life Memberships from Marine Rescue NSW and the Botany Port Hacking unit."
Unit Commander Blackwell said Mr Parkinson is a highly experienced mariner and a great asset to not only Marine Rescue NSW but also the boating community.
"Noel has commanded numerous vessels throughout his career. He has been a valuable mentor, generously sharing his expertise and guiding aspiring skippers. His leadership and dedication serve as an excellent example for those who now operate Botany Hacking 32, the Noel Parkinson," he said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.