The Maitland SES unit is the only one in the Hunter to take delivery of a 7.3 metre flood rescue boat IRB, which arrived along with two 5.5 metre vessels to join the unit’s armoury.

And there are hopes the delivery of the boats will drive a new wave of

volunteers.

Maitland SES deputy controller Kile Nicholas said the boats would revolutionise the unit’s operations in flood situations because they could carry more passengers.

It would cut the number of trips by SES volunteers in evacuation situations by three quarters.

“The 7.3 metre boat will allow us to carry up to 19 people if we did have to do a mass evacuation of an area,” he said.

“The 5.5 metre boats can carry up to 11.

“The biggest boat we had before carried five people.”

The 7.3 metre boat can also carry more cargo – such as hay and other supplies – to households and farms isolated by flood waters.

Mr Nicholas demonstrated the manoeuvrability and power of the new boats on the river yesterday between Morpeth and the Harry Boyle Bridge, which is usually too shallow for boats.

He received specialist training to be able to pilot the boat before it arrived in Maitland.