SURF Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has taken delivery of several Isuzu D-Max utes and MU-X SUVs under a three-year national partnership with Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) that will provide the 114-year-old institution with vehicles for beach patrol and other daily duties across the country.

Holden previously provided a fleet of Colorado utes to SLSA under a deal struck in January 2018, meaning the swimmers’ saviour had to look elsewhere when its Australian automotive benefactor was quashed by parent company General Motors at the end of last year.

Wearing SLSA livery and equipped with accessories such as canopies, roof racks, tow hitches and measures to counter their salty working conditions, the Isuzu four-wheel drives will support lifesavers and lifeguards in delivering 10,000 rescues, 60,000 emergency treatments and 1.4 million preventative actions annually.

In addition to serving as “rescue ready” vehicles for rapid response to incidents and carrying essential lifesaving equipment on the beach, the vehicles will also do duty on mobile patrols and for travel related to promoting beach safety through training and education programs.

SLSA president John Baker said the Isuzu vehicles offered the right mix of off-road capability, towing capacity and safety features, as well as a reputation for reliability and durability, for lifesaving operations.

“Knowing that our lifesaving equipment needs to be durable to last the challenging beach conditions and dependable when called upon by our surf lifesavers, SLSA has turned to Isuzu Ute Australia, relying on the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV to serve as surf rescue patrol and support vehicles across the country,” he said.

“It is with the support of these vehicles and our partners like Isuzu Ute Australia that makes our mission in patrolling and protecting our beaches that much easier, allowing us to focus our attention to the safety of our beach-goers.”

IUA managing director Hiroyasu Sato added: “Surf Life Saving Australia have been patrolling beaches and protecting millions of beach-goers for 114 years and in recognition of the significant difference they have made, we are proud to jump on board and support the amazing work they are doing.

“The essence of SLSA is ingrained in local communities and in protecting people across Australian beaches through patrols, training programs and education.

“For Isuzu Ute Australia, there could be no better way of giving back than by supporting SLSA and the brave men and women who keep our beaches safe.”

Last month IUA celebrated its 200,000th vehicle sold since the company was established in late 2008.

Sales are up 68.2 per cent to the end of March this year, with 5581 D-Max and 2465 MU-X models delivered following a fallow year in 2019 and pandemic-stricken 2020 that was compounded by runout of second-generation D-Max and demand outstripping supply of the third-generation model when it launched at the end of August.

By Haitham Razagui