The sonar equipment has funded by Glencore and is now attached to the new search boat that the SES has received from the state government. 

SES area controller Gordon Graham said during an official presentation of the boat handover that the sonar has been tested during many operations at Lake Moondarra within the last four months.

They have found a dumped ski boat, sunken canoes and tyres with the sonar. 

“We had the water police come up and they started using their equipment,” Mr Graham said.

“They looked at ours and were picking up more stuff with ours and they ended up turning theirs off and using this equipment here.”  

Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines representative Maryann Wipaki said the company was pleased to fund the sonar. 

“Obviously at Glencore we recognise the importance of having very good emergency management equipment," she said. 

“When SES approached us around the equipment requirements we were certainly happy to support a local group in such an important part of the fabric of what we do here in Mount Isa.

“I hope the equipment is useful.” 

SES local controller Kim Smith said the new boat has increased the emergency service’s resources – especially in flood operations. 

The SES may need to use it when called to any operation in the region or the gulf. The sonar equipment would of further use. 

“Especially working in flooded waterways it gives the opportunity to see what’s underneath us; any snags or dangers. 

“If required we can use it for search operations. It’s always a possibility and it’s nice to know we have the capacity if called upon.” 

Mount Isa councillor George Fortune – a keen fisherman involved in the fish stocking group – attended the handover. 

He inspected the boat and sonar and said it would be useful for the emergency service. 

“It’s a nice sized boat," Cr Fortune said. “It looks like they have got good equipment.”