Season starts with search

By Matt Turner, published 5 October, 2011

Stanmore Bay resident Matt Turner has taken over helm of the Coastguard column this season. His previous boating experience in the UK (prior to moving to NZ in 2004) was limited to sailing various dinghy classes and serving in the naval cadets, so he says he was “a relative newbie” when he joined the Coastguard unit a couple of years ago.

Coastguard Hibiscus took part in a combined search operation on August 17 that made national news after a local fishing trip turned to tragedy. The Sealegs amphibious craft Hibiscus Rescue 2, stationed at Stanmore Bay, was called out to search for a person in the water off Kawau Island. Also taking part were Kawau Coastguard, the Police (who assumed control of the operation), the Rodney harbourmaster, the Spirit of New Zealand, the Diamond Hunter (a private vessel whose skipper assists with Coastguard operations), the Navy’s Protector-class HMNZS Wellington and two of its small craft.

After receiving the callout at around 10am, the three-person crew of Hibiscus Rescue 2 searched a wide area around Kawau extending from Saddle Island up to North Passage and around Bon Accord Harbour, before being stood down. The target was a fisherman, Warkworth man Anthony Preston, one of five fishers who had had to swim for shore after their 5.5m aluminium craft capsized off Motuora on August 16. Four survivors spent a very cold night on Motuketekete Island before being rescued. Police divers finally located Mr Preston’s body on August 23.
Although the exact causes of the capsizing have not been revealed, it underlines the importance of key safety measures for boaties.

The following should be considered basic essentials:

• Tell someone where you are going and what time you aim to be back.
• Dress accordingly for the conditions: temperatures were near-freezing on the night of August 16.
• Wear a lifejacket or PFD and ensure it is correctly fitted.
• Equip your boat with flares and VHF radio. Take a cell phone, by all means, but it comes a poor second to radio. Whereas a VHF ‘mayday’ call can be picked up by several listeners, a cell phone is limited to one-to-one; also, you cannot guarantee a good signal at sea. What’s more, your cell phone’s battery will quickly drain if it becomes your sole means of emergency communication.

Meanwhile, on land, Hibiscus Rescue 2 has been enjoying its new quarters in Stanmore Bay: a purpose-built shed erected alongside its former home, the Hibiscus Coast Boating Club. The shed was completed in mid-August.

(Published October 5, 2011)