On Friday 23 January 2009 NSW Minister for Ports The Hon. Joe Tripodi visited Shoalhaven Marine Rescue’s base at Crookhaven Heads and spoke with volunteers about the unification of marine rescue organisations in New South Wales. In a press release Mr Tripodi said, “I wanted to take the time while in the Shoalhaven area to meet the volunteers and hear first hand their experiences with marine rescue operations”. “They’re ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. I want to listen to their views and plan for the future of the Volunteer Marine Rescue group in NSW”.

Mr Tripodi was treated to a guided tour of SMRA’s Search and Rescue Coordination centre in “The Pilot Station” and given on overview of the history and operations of Shoalhaven Marine Rescue.