Rescue services will be significantly boosted on the NSW South Coast after Westpac announced additional funding for a dedicated Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service.

The specifically designed rescue helicopter to will provide specialist aero medical and rescue support from Shoalhaven Heads down to the Victorian border for the 2010 / 2011 summer season.

The BK-117 twin engine helicopter will carry a crew of three comprising a pilot, an air crew officer and a rescue swimmer and will be on call and based at Moruya Airport to respond between 9.00 am to 7.00 pm until 28th February, 2011.

The Helicopter is capable of responding to marine and land incidents, especially those in remote or difficult locations and will provide a free service for the rescue of persons from accident scenes and transporting critically ill patients to hospital. It will also provide police and other emergency services with a rapid and responsive rescue helicopter to assist them in search and rescue operations. The service will commence from the start of December 2010.