A NEW station, boat and crew members for voluntary organisation Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue (MISAR) means water safety in Upton-upon-Severn and the surrounding area has never been in better shape.

MISAR has now been based in its new facility at the front of Upton Marina for almost two months, and recently got its latest rescue boat on the water. This is an impressively-equipped 20-foot Stirling vessel with salvage pump and even limited fire-fighting facilities.

Although the change in location was necessitated by plans for development at the marina, team manager Dave Walker explained how MISAR is already reaping the benefits of the move.

“This new site is 100 per cent better,” he said. “The principal thing for us is the speed of turnout. Before it took a long time to make it all the way through the marina, but now we can just literally open the doors and go.

“The secondary benefit is that people can now see us far more easily. The reaction that we are getting from people is great. We have had some very good new recruits come forward just from seeing us here.”

Buoyed by this recent recruitment, the MISAR team currently stands at about 32 members, although there is always room for more. Full and ongoing training is provided, so the only qualities needed are willingness, enthusiasm and a few spare hours.

Equally vital to the organisation as its dedicated volunteers is fund-raising, as the organisation receives no official funding.

At present most fund-raising duties fall on the crew members themselves, and Mr Walker is keen to recruit people to take on some of these duties.

“We are desperate for fund-raisers, and it does not have to be a heavy commitment, even just a couple of hours once a month,” he said.

“That would allow the crew to concentrate on their training. You simply cannot train enough for the sort of things that we are doing.”

Anyone interested in joining the crew or helping raise money should call 01684 593999.