Boats and sheds under construction

While crew have been busy on the water over the summer, the Hibiscus Sea Rescue Trust and Coastguard Hibiscus have been busy working behind the scenes and have jointly signed the formal contract with Naiad Inflatables (NZ) Ltd to build a new 9.5m Naiad Rescue Vessel to replace the Rayglass Protector currently based at Gulf Harbour Marina. The new boat is currently under construction at Blue Water Boats Ltd at Swanson, with completion expected in early September. From then, both the new and old Hibiscus Rescue One boats will be based at Gulf Harbour until the new vessel is fully operational, with commissioning and crew training completed in time for the Christmas holiday period.

Coastguard Hibiscus is benefiting from the recent construction of two identical Coastguard rescue vessels, one based at Maraetai, the other at Mechanics Bay. Our experts can assess these and make some modifications that are considered appropriate for our Naiad. The choice of boat is in line with plans at national level to standardise the Coastguard rescue vessel types throughout the country.

Our Sealegs is about to get a new home, as a building consent for the boat shed to house the Sealegs (Hibiscus Rescue Two) at Stanmore Bay Reserve has recently been issued by Auckland Council. Construction will begin in March and should be completed in three to four weeks. Under a temporary arrangement, The Hibiscus Coast Boating Club have allowed us an interim home for the Sealegs in their tractor shed at Stanmore Bay, but with a growing club membership, they need the space for their own vehicles. Therefore, the news that all the formalities are sorted out, and the building work on our own shed is soon to commence, has been another piece of great news for the unit. Crew have been particularly creative in suggesting some colourful ways of demolishing the old shed currently sitting on the site but rest assured we will leave that to the experts to arrange.

Coastguard Hibiscus is looking for volunteers to crew on our rescue vessels. To find out more email Recruitment Officer David Bradley at dbradley@kol.co.nz