|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
East Auckland’s Coastguard units, manned by committed community-minded volunteers, have had very busy summer seasons and they’re pleased there were no fatalities on the ocean waters they patrol.
The Times has talked with the respective presidents of Coastguard Howick and Coastguard Maraetai, and they’re encouraged that people out on the water this just-past summer season listened to the public messages about wearing life jackets.
Coastguard New Zealand says the most common callouts across the two units were for mechanical or equipment failures on boats in the Hauraki Gulf and Firth of Thames.
“Summer was again another busy time for Howick Coastguard, but thankfully with no fatal events to have to respond to,” says its president, Blair Telfer.
“This is predominately due to all water users heeding the number one rule to always wear a life jacket – they save lives.”
Telfer says for the summer season, December 1 to February 28, Howick Coastguard had 52 callouts to assist or rescue boaties and water users.
“It resulted in 137 people safely returning to their whanau and the great weather on Waitangi Day made it the busiest day for our volunteers.”
Howick Coastguard’s callouts on February 6 were five.
“I’m exceptionally proud of the efforts of our volunteers in keeping everyone safe out there on the water,” says Telfer.
“We’re always happy to assist and give advice when you need and respond to any and all emergencies.
“We very much appreciate the local support from Howick and surrounds that help us to provide this lifesaving service.
“Take care, keep safe and enjoy your boating experience,” says Telfer.
Coastguard Maraetai had 57 callouts during the summer season, bringing home 160 people.
The Pohutukawa Coast unit’s busiest day was five callouts on January 11.
When the Times talked with Coastguard Maraetai president Gary Copestake last week, he said the unit had just been out on the Sunday night responding to a vessel requiring help.
“We got the call at 9pm regarding the welfare of a boat and our crew got back at 1.30am Monday morning.”
That’s a great example of the nature of on-call roles Coastguard volunteers provide New Zealanders in water safety. They’re available round-the-clock.
Copestake says he’s also pleased there were no fatalities on the water that his unit had to respond to during summer.
Though, he says there were a couple of serious incidents that could have had a worse outcome if it wasn’t for the skills and knowledge, especially medical, of some of his unit’s members.
He says Maraetai, being the furthest east of Auckland-based Coastguard crews, gets asked to do callouts in the Firth of Thames area, as well as the Hauraki Gulf.
“We often find ourselves in that area because Coastguard Thames is sometimes restricted by [the flow of] tides and they can’t get out. That’s fine with us.”
Coastguard NZ says summer may be over, but many Kiwis will still be cruising out on the water over long weekends and public holidays.
“With MetService forecasting a chilly and stormy start to autumn, it continues to be important to stay prepared.
“Coastguard urges all boaties to remember the essentials – always wear your life jacket, take two forms of waterproof communication, check the forecast, and log your trip with Coastguard.”
