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The Kawau Volunteer Coastguard is reminding Mahurangi boaties to prepare before heading out on the water this summer after a chaotic start to the season.
Coastguard membership development manager Jamie Armitage says Coastguard volunteers attended a total of 63 calls for help across the northern region over the Labour Day weekend.
Callouts included medical emergencies, rescuing crews from two sinking vessels, and pulling an errant surfer to safety.
“Sunday October 23 was by far the busiest day, with a staggering 1132 radios calls made by boaties,” Jamie says. “It peaked at 120 calls an hour on Sunday afternoon.”
A large proportion of callouts were due to mechanical problems. Kawau Coastguard president Luke McCarthy says that boaties need to do everything they can to stay safe on the water this summer.
“Get your gear serviced before heading out on the water, check your communications, wear a life jacket and tell people where you are going,” Luke says.
Kawau Coastguard’s operational area includes Kawau Island, the Mahurangi Harbour, Te Arai Point, and Little Barrier Island. They can also head as far as Bream Tail if required.
In the year to June it assisted 211 people.
“We recently rescued someone whose boat had sunk off the back of Little Barrier. It was very rewarding when we returned him safely to the wharf where his family were waiting for him,” Luke says.
Coastguard is also keen to attract new volunteers that are able to commit to be on call for a week every three weeks. The minimum operating crew is four during the day and six after dark.
Volunteers must live less than 20 minutes from Sandspit.
“You have to be totally reliable when you are on call. At the end of the day lives are at risk.”
Life jacket trade-in scheme next month
Coastguard will kick off its Old4New lifejacket trade-in scheme on Saturday 10 December at Orewa boat ramp (214 Hibiscus Coast Highway) from 8am-11am, and Snells Beach boat ramp (Snells Beach Rd) from 1pm to 4pm.
The scheme offers a significant discount on a new Hutchwilco lifejacket. Over 4000 old lifejackets were traded in from Kawhia to Cape Reinga last year. Coastguard Lotteries tickets will also be on sale this year from November 25 to February 15. Kawau Coastguard sold over 2000 tickets last summer. This year’s draw will be held on February 22 with prizes including a car, four boats and a holiday.
Info: coastguard.nz
