Marine Rescue Bunbury holds Volunteer Open Day on June 27

As part of a monthly callout, the Rescue is inviting all who are interested to head to its Volunteer Open Day at the Rescue's Casuarina Drive base on Sunday, June 27.

Marine Rescue Bunbury Senior Crew Member and Recruitment Officer Steve Pursell has been part of the Rescue for three years and said although the Rescue was generally busier during the summer months, there was still a need for volunteers during winter.

"We get called out pretty often for a variety of reasons, with about one to five rescues a month. Just last week we were called to clear a vessel that was a hazard in the shipping lane," Mr Pursell said.

In 2002, Marine Rescue Bunbury took over the responsibilities and activities of the Bunbury Lifeboat Foundation which began in 1979.

The first dedicated research vessel was purchased in 1982 and was named 'Spirit of Bunbury'.

The Rescue now has three vessels that are frequently used to carry out rescues.

Mr Pursell said the Open Day will give prospective volunteers a taste of what the Rescue is all about and will feature a tour of the base.

"Something we find is that people rock up having a completely different expectation of what we do here. We don't jump out of helicopters, but we're still doing an important job that helps keep our community safe. We invite volunteers to be a part of something good."

"There is a minimum of four crew members during a rescue on one of the boats. There's the skipper in charge, the helmsman, a navigation person and radio operator. Everyone gets a different job and then rotates to keep it interesting," Mr Pursell said.

Volunteers with the Marine Rescue Bunbury can specialise in a variety of roles including office work, radio operation, catering, reading charts and monitoring activities as well as partaking in rescue operations on a vessel.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to obtain their skippers ticket and partake in radio training and survival at sea courses.

The minimum age for operational crew is 18-years-old, however persons under 18 are invited to join.

Marine Rescue Bunbury's Volunteer Open Day will run from 9am to 12pm at the Marine Rescue Bunbury Base on Casuarina Drive on Sunday June 27.

Volunteers will need to be prepared to undergo regular training on Thursday evenings and Sundays and respond to emergency rescue callouts.

For further information, head to Marine Rescue Bunbury's website https://www.marinerescuebunbury.com.au/.