My Account
North Kaipara Coastguard’s operations have got a substantial boost thanks to a new rescue boat, which it took possession of last week.
The new boat was purchased brand new for use as a chase boat in the America’s Cup earlier this year, but has now been refitted as a rescue boat.
It is the second of 26 boats being gifted to Coastguard as part of a partnership between Emirates Team New Zealand and Lotto NZ.
The new rescue boat gives the North Kaipara unit the ability to perform rescues beyond the bar. It will be able to respond faster to incidents across the massive 950-square kilometre harbour, which it patrols alongside a unit based in Helensville.
It is the first time that North Kaipara Coastguard has owned a rescue boat outright, having previously had a smaller vessel on loan from Coastguard New Zealand.
Crewman James Foster says that up until 2014, the unit was responding to distress calls in “vessels of opportunity” – in other words, volunteers’ own boats.
In anticipation of the new boat, the wider Kaipara community has fundraised for a new tractor and to widen the shed door at North Kaipara Coastguard’s centre of operations in Tinopai.
To volunteer for North Kaipara Coastguard, contact James at faj@xtra.co.nz.
