The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (formerly BASI)
recommends that the Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit
and Cairns Port Authority examine the adequacy of the current
launch facilities for the ARFF rescue boat against the benefits
which might accrue from a launch ramp on or adjacent to the
airport.
I am writing in response to your air safety recommendation that
relates to launch facilities for the ARFF rescue boat at Cairns
Airport.
Airservices accepts the recommendation and agrees that the current
launch facilities need improvement. The Cairns ARFF Divisional
Officer wrote to the Cairns Port Authority asking them to provide a
launching ramp on or adjacent to the airport. The Cairns Port
Authority is assessing the request.
Airservices ARFF will continue to pursue the issue with the
Authority.
I am writing in response to the above Recommendation, which
relates to the "adequacy of the current launch facilities for the
ARIFF rescue boat and the benefits which might accrue from a launch
ramp on or adjacent to the airport".
Airservices ARIFF and the Cairns Port Authority have agreed on the
merits of this recommendation and reached in principal agreement on
a suitable site for the development of a launch ramp to be located
at the site of the "Old Hovercraft Ramp". Two other sites were
considered and found to be unsuitable.
Negotiations are now under way on funding for this development and
to address issues relating to possible future taxiway development
in that area.
At this early stage I am unable to provide a completion date for
the development. I will provide further details in due
course.
