The $170,000 vessel is set to be officially launched next week but has already been described as a vast improvement on the previous rescue boat.

The group lost their last boat while retrieving a yacht that had been stuck on the infamous St Helens barway, forcing the rescuers to make a lucky escape.

The new boat will be bigger than its predecessor and will feature state-of-the-art on-board electronic equipment.

St Helens Marine Rescue president John Dearing said that comparing the two vessels was like comparing chalk and cheese.

"It's been fitted out and we've done some trials and we're just waiting for some electronic gear to turn up," Mr Dearing said.

"It's very responsive, very fast - it handles brilliantly, so it should be good as a fast response vessel in all types of seas.

"We just hope that the boating community will feel a little bit safer."

Mr Dearing said he was encouraged to see the community get behind the project and donate a proportion of the funding for the vessel.

Break O'Day Mayor Mick Tucker said that while the community waited for work to be completed to extend the wall on the barway, the boat was a welcome addition to the town.

"The vessel itself is larger than the previous one that was unfortunately lost," Cr Tucker said.

"The boat will give a real sense of security to people in need. It will have the motors to be able to offer assistance in a lot of circumstances.

"Having the volunteers to be able to offer assistance to people who may have run out of fuel or need medical assistance is absolutely paramount."