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Mangawhai came a step closer to the formal establishment of its own Coastguard unit with the arrival in town late last month of its rescue vessel Kokako – a nine-metre Rayglass Protector powered by twin 225HP Mercury outboards.
On Saturday September 20, there will be an invitation-only blessing of the boat followed at 11am with an opportunity for the public to check the rig out, which includes a four-wheel-drive Massey Ferguson tractor. The open day will be held at the Mangawhai Boating and Fishing Club, 2 Alamar Crescent.
Unit president Ron Lucca, himself of 25-years plus Coastguard veteran, says the unit will be ready by Labour Weekend.
There has been strong support for the unit so far with 16 crew plus three masters (Coastguard speak for skippers/captains) undertaking training and vessel familiarisation, along with a further eight or nine in the land-based support team.
Mangawhai has until next April to prove it has the operational capabilities along with the community backing to formalise the unit going forward.
“We are well on our way to meeting our deadlines,” Lucca says. ‘With both the boat and the tractor now in our hands, the training can begin in earnest, especially the on-the-water elements.”
The rig has temporary lodgings at the reserve end of Mangawhai Heads Road thanks to the cooperation of the Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park and the Kaipara District Council.
“We encourage families to come along and check us out at the open day. Children are especially welcome and there will be Coastguard giveaways for them to take home.
Coastguard NZ’s Northern Support Officer Jo Norgrove and Northern Regional Manager Jonny Bannister have been driving the unit’s formation. Jo has spearheaded the training while Jonny has dealt with the corporate aspects.
“The trial will be evaluated across several key areas, including response times, environmental impact, and operational viability. Findings will determine if the establishment a permanent unit is justified,” Jonny says.
“This initiative is part of Coastguard’s national strategy to address key gaps in the country’s maritime emergency network. Last year, the government committed $8 million to strengthen search and rescue coverage in high-need areas including Mangawhai.”
“The rig, in the short time it has been at its base, has created plenty of interest,” Ron says.
