Coastguard seeks better launch facility

The boat currently has to be reversed 250m down the beach to be launched – see dotted yellow line. Kawau Coastguard is looking to move its boat to a berth at Sandspit Wharf to make callouts quicker, easier and safer. At present, the Coastguard vessel is kept on a trailer in a compound just off the south-western edge of the Sandspit car park, 250 metres down from the wharf. Whenever there is a callout, crew members have to hook up a tractor and reverse the boat trailer along the beach until they get to the launch area near the boatsheds. Coastguard president Paul Steinkamp told last month’s Rod...