Firestyle Magazine Issue 6 - Winter 2016 | Page 13

Mariner on call for disaster relief Barrus is continuing its support of the Water-safe UK Search & Rescue Team in 2016 with the supply of Mariner outboard engines. WUKSART was established in response to the National Flood Enhancement Project led by the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2009. This Government led project was designed to officially collate all the water rescue assets around the UK and then type them against National standards with the aim that when widespread flooding takes place these assets can be called on. The purpose and aim of Water-safe is to provide response and support to the official Emergency Services in a range of situations, including water rescues, flood relief and support during times of adverse weather conditions, natural disaster or civil emergency, missing people search and to be able to provide support at incidents as required. Since 2009, Barrus has supplied seven Mariner 90hp engines and four SeaSearch inflatable rescue boats to Water-safe on preferential terms. Mariner 6hp engines have also been supplied for their Mountain Rescue activities. Primarily WUKSART covers the County of Derbyshire with support to both the local Fire & Rescue Service and the Police. All the team members are voluntary and from disciplined backgrounds they have the skills and experience required. The team were called out during the devastating Storms of Desmond and Eva in December 2015 and last year attended numerous incidents in the widespread flooding of Cumbria, Lancashire and York. 13