- SeaLink's new 12 metre vessel will help the QAS transport patients between the South Moreton Bay Islands and the mainland.
- At a cost of $1.77 million it has the capacity to carry three patients on stretchers, with a capacity of 16 people on board including ambulance officers and the vessel master.
- The custom-built vessel will provide an essential service to the local community with more patient capacity than the previous ferry, as well as enhanced comfort, safety and patient care.
Fresh off the slipway at Hemmant in Brisbane, SeaLink's newest custom designed and locally built vessel, Medicat, is purpose built for the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to support their commitment to caring and supporting the Southern Moreton Bay Islands community.
At a cost of $1.77 million, SeaLink's new 12 metre vessel will help the QAS transport patients between the South Moreton Bay Islands and the mainland, and has the capacity to carry three patients on stretchers, with a capacity of 16 people on board including ambulance officers and the vessel master.
This vessel is a huge win for the Island communities here in Metro South and for the QAS to enhance and improve their first-class pre-hospital care of patients in need.
Thanks to SeaLink, partnering with shipbuilder Commercial Marine Australia (CMA) and in consultation with the QAS, this vessel is Australia's most modern water borne patient care transportation.
No matter where you live, Queenslanders deserve the best care possible, and this morning's launch of the Medicat ambulance vessel supports the QAS to deliver that care.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ambulance Services:
"Having a medical incident or injury can be scary, especially when there is a large body of water between you and the care you need.
"Our excellent working relationship with SeaLink has meant our patients have always been transferred safely, with the much-needed QAS support onboard.
"This new vessel means we can transfer not one, but three patients at a time under QAS supervision, to the specialist care they need.
"It is another great example of innovative solutions that benefit not only our patients but our staff too.
"The Palaszcuk Government will continue to support the QAS in delivering their first-class essential service to the Southern Bay Island communities."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Ambulance Service, Assistant Commissioner, Peter Warrener:
"The QAS is always looking for innovative ways to respond to the community.
"The new Medicat ambulance vessel will provide better outcomes for our Southern Bay Island residents.
"The dedicated ambulance boat will allow our officers greater ease to treat and transport patients to and from these Island communities and the mainland."
Quotes attributable to SeaLink Marine and Tourism CEO Donna Gauci:
"The custom-built vessel provided an essential service to the local community with more patient capacity than the previous ferry, as well as enhanced comfort, safety and patient care.
"Delivering innovative solutions to service our community and being able to support the QAS in their commitment to provide, the highest possible care to the members of our community who are in their greatest time of need, is both rewarding and humbling.
"We are very proud of the partnership between SeaLink, QAS and shipbuilder Commercial Marine Australia (CMA). CMA's commitment to delivering above client expectations is again evident in their commitment to deliver another meticulously finished vessel."
