Coastguard – Simple measures save lives

The first thing new recruits learn about Coastguard is that you can’t predict when a callout will come. It can be a cold, dark, wet Monday night or a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon. The pager can go off anytime, and does, up to around 120 times a year. Hence, when on call, volunteers are required to stay within 20 minutes of Sandspit, apart from when they are at work.

While we are called Coastguard Kawau, our area ranges out to the Mokohinau, north to the top of Pakiri Beach, and to south of the Mahurangi River – a fair portion of the outer Hauraki Gulf.

Serious callouts have ranged from pulling five people out of the water, just off Challenger Island, after their boat capsized to recovering a wind surfer at Orewa, who was blown offshore and became exhausted. Not long ago, we were called out to help a land-based Search and Rescue (SAR) team at night, in the dark, locate an injured person on the cliffs near Elephant Point on the Tawharanui Peninsula.

We were able to spot them from the water and guide in the Land SAR team.

We have taken both Hato Hone St Jones and Fire & Emergency personnel to Kawau at various times.

This was to either attend and evacuate medical emergencies, or to provide back up to fight bush fires.

Simple callouts for flat batteries and people running out of fuel or two stroke oil are common. While seemingly minor, these types of incidents can endanger life. Unlike on land, you cannot just get out and walk to the petrol station.

These incidents can be fixed with more care:

• Make sure your battery terminals are clean and that the charging is happening. If a bigger boat, switch off the starter battery and use only the house batteries when stopped.
• How old is the battery? Is it holding it’s charge? Do you keep it topped up during the winter? We use our boat every week but always keep our batteries on charge. We also expect to change the batteries about once every five years or so.

Even with prices going high, don’t try and save on fuel. One-third out, one-third back and one-third in reserve is the only sensible rule. We have people tell us running out of fuel was an honest mistake – “no, it’s not”.

• Check and make sure you have the fuel you need and don’t trust GPS calculations or fuel gauge indicators. Our gauge can vary 25 per cent, depending on the waves and your speed. If you run out of fuel when on the water and the weather changes, you could lose your life.
• Lastly, don’t be afraid to call Coastguard, either on Channel 60 (in this area) on a Marine Radio or *555 on a mobile. We have been out before to people who just needed a reassuring escort to get back home after the weather changed and their confidence of coping took a dive. Better an escort than pulling people out of the water.

We don’t criticise, condemn or complain. If you feel embarrassed, don’t worry, we have almost certainly seen worse.

For more information www.coastguardkawau.org.nz

A Coastguard fundraising Golf Day will be held at the Omaha Beach Golf Club on May 8 so reserve that day and come along to support Coastguard Kawau.