Coastguard – Volunteers put in long hours

It is hard to believe that Christmas has been and gone again for another year.  

The activity over this time on the gorgeous Waitemata Harbour and beyond was like nothing I have seen before. There were so many boaties making the most of this wonderful place we live in – and mostly uneventful apart from plenty of good fish.

However, our volunteers have been extremely busy over these weeks in making sure that everyone gets home safely.  

From the middle of December to the middle of January we put in more than 100 hours on our engines and were out on the water most days over the break. Coastguard Hibiscus volunteers were on the water for more than 120 hours in a two-week period. We cannot thank them enough for the commitment they show to the unit and to the public. 

When these days are busy it is difficult to get through to Coastguard Operations via VHF radio due to the amount of radio traffic, however there are other  ways of contacting Coastguard Operations. You can call *500 from your mobile phone or you can use the Coastguard App which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Play Store. 

We are still looking for people to join us. Without our volunteers we would not be able to operate. As our current crew members move to complete their qualifications to become qualified crew, senior and skipper we need new volunteers. We are a great bunch of people who are passionate about boating, increasing our knowledge and making a difference to our community. You don’t need any previous boating experience, as we will teach you everything you need to know. All you need is time and the willingness to be part of a great organisation. If you would like to know more about getting involved please contact us at recruitment@coastguardhibiscus.org.nz.

Finally, when out on the water this summer please remember these five key safety tips:

• Take and wear life jackets – wearing a life jacket increases survival time in the water.

• Be a responsible skipper – the skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board.

• Communications – carry two forms of waterproof communications so you can call for assistance.

• Marine weather – check the local marine weather before you go out and be prepared for any changes.

• Avoid alcohol – safe boating and alcohol do not mix. Things can change quickly on the water and you need to stay alert and aware.

Stay safe out there.