Coastguard – Coastguard training vital

We are a volunteer organisation and, as such, all of us at Kawau Coastguard do it for no payment. We do however take things very seriously because at sea incidents can sometimes be a matter of life or death. Because of this training is very important to use.

When someone joins Coastguard, they have 5 levels of training to pass through before they can become a skipper. Not all want to get to this level, which is fine, some people are happy just to crew the boat rather than run it.

We assume all have no knowledge but if you have experience, we will recognise prior learning which can speed up the following training. The training is a balance of e-learning and practical tasks on the boat.

The first, recruit training, is very basic, some health and safety awareness and information about what is expected as a crew member.

Next, to become a deckhand, we send you on a first aid course to cover off CPR and other basic first aid skills. We also train on basic knowledge like boat terminology, some more health and safety awareness, and basic skills like knots, rope handling and towing procedures.

There is a swim test, not to find Olympic champions, but just to ensure you are happy in the water while wearing a life jacket. By the end of this training, you are working safely on the boat and are a contributing member of your crew as a deckhand.

From deckhand, for the next level, you then train on helming the boat and navigation rules, the use of GPS and radar on the boat, and finally Radio procedures. Once completed you are then proficient in many aspects of boat.

After an assessment by a Coastguard NZ (CNZ) moderator, from outside the unit, you a become a qualified crew member.

To launch the boat and attend callouts we need to have a minimum of one skipper and two qualified crew. Other members are welcome as extra help, and part of their training and experience; every call out is different. For Search and Rescue (SAR) taskings we often need up to 6 people to include lookouts etc.

The next step, if you choose to take it, is to move towards a Senior Qualification. This entails more advanced qualified crew training and also some specialist SAR training.

First is some more advanced “paper” navigation using charts and night navigation, so that if GPS fails, we are still safe. This also builds knowledge and experience.

Next is some advanced helming, including using just one engine and techniques such as manoeuvring while having a boat tied alongside our boat, and handling the boat in rougher conditions.

Finally, we have SAR training which includes planning and using search patterns, how SAR operations are organised by our operations room, and how we co-ordinate with other first responders.

Again, this training is assessed by and external moderator from CNZ before you become senior crew.

Lastly to become a skipper or master of a Coastguard boat you need to be able to show proficiency of all the above to a high level and also to complete training in crew management, team building and legal issue around the operation of the boat. Your Master’s ticket is then issued as an specific qualification by Maritime NZ.

How quickly you move through the training depends on prior knowledge, the time you are able to commit to the unit and the callouts you are able to attend. Attending callouts is probably the biggest factor in building knowledge and gaining expertise.

If you would like to join and get some training before the summer now is the time to get in touch. . It’s a great way to get out on the water safely and also support the boating community. It would be wrong not to point out that you need to have the time to be part of a crew.

To find out more please see the web site or mail or secretary on one of the links below:
https://www.coastguardkawau.org.nz/join-the-crew or e-mail secretary@coastguardkawau.org.nz