Mike Hammond, the zone commander south with Marine Rescue NSW, has just wrapped up an epic journey, diving headfirst into the burgeoning world of electric-powered boats. This isn’t just a fancy trip; it’s a mission to future-proof marine rescue operations. Hammond, who oversees around 1000 volunteer marine rescue responders from Port Kembla to Eden and inland to Moama on the Murray River, was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship. This sent him globetrotting to nations like Sweden and Germany, the crème de la crème of e-boat innovation.
Hammond’s background is as impressive as it is relevant. A lifelong recreational boater, commercial skipper, and Superintendent responsible for the safety of Marine Rescue NSW volunteer crews, he’s no stranger to the perils of maritime rescue. His stint with the State Emergency Service equipped him with the know-how to handle electric vehicle incidents on roads, a skill set he’s now applying to the seas. “We needed to give our road crash rescue teams the tools to be safe when they turn up to a road accident and the car that’s upside down or in a ditch is an electric vehicle,” he explained. “The risks are different, big lithium batteries can overheat, catch fire or explode in these kinds of situations. We needed to prepare those responders for that kind of emergency.”
With electric boats gaining traction, Hammond saw an opportunity to leverage his experience. “We’ve seen the impact e-battery fires can have on land so we need to be prepared for marine rescue responders to know what they need to do if there is a battery fire on a boat, not only to help the people onboard but also how to keep themselves safe in the process.” Hammond’s journey took him to Tokyo, where he met with officers from the Japan Coast Guard, and to the world’s largest boat show, Boot Düsseldorf. He also witnessed firsthand how marine rescue organisations in the UK, Sweden, the US, and Japan manage electric boat technology.
The electric boat market is several years behind electric vehicles on land, but Hammond predicts a surge in popularity over the next decade as technology becomes more affordable. “At the moment an electric boat can be triple the cost of a petrol boat but in Sweden they are already using a 12-metre, electric, carbon fibre, foiling ferry to carry passengers around Stockholm harbour,” he says. “It’s the way of the future but at the moment it’s very expensive.”
Hammond’s trip wasn’t all work and no play. He got to ride several foiling electric boats, an experience he describes as “next level.” But when it comes to adopting this technology for marine rescue, Hammond is cautious. “I think commercial operators will adopt the technology sooner because they are using their boats every day and so they will recoup the additional expense in a realistic timeframe. At the moment it’s cost prohibitive for recreational boaters who might take it out once a week if they’re lucky. But I think the cost will come down.”
For Marine Rescue NSW, which relies heavily on charitable donations, investing in electric boats is a tall order. However, Hammond envisions a future where they could trial smaller electric boats for harbour, river, or bay rescue while maintaining their primary offshore rescue boats. “But I have no doubt we will start to see more electric boats on the water in the coming years and my priority is to make sure that our people are ready and safe to assist boaters who take up the technology.”
This news is a wake-up call for the maritime industry. As electric boats become more prevalent, marine rescue organisations must adapt. Hammond’s journey is a testament to the proactive approach needed to ensure the safety of both rescuers and those they save. The future of marine rescue is electric, and it’s coming faster than you think. So, buckle up, maritime industry, because the tide is turning, and it’s time to plug in.
