Coastguard stalwart awarded for efforts

DEDICATION: Maketu Fire Chief and Coastguard President Shane Beech is the NZ Coastguard Support Unit Volunteer of the Year. PHOTO/ GEORGE NOVAK

Maketu Fire Chief Shane Beech's countless hours of service to the Coastguard has been recognised with a prestigious award from Coastguard New Zealand.

Maketu-born Mr Beech, who has been president of the Maketu Volunteer Coastguard since 2009, was named the 2015 NZ Coastguard Unit Support Volunteer of the Year.

Mr Beech was among a number of volunteers honoured for their outstanding contributions during Coastguard New Zealand's Awards of Excellence, which were handed out at Auckland's Marine Rescue Centre on Saturday.

The annual awards honour individuals and their units who provide crucial life-saving services to Kiwis using the country's waterways.

Mr Beech was instrumental in founding the Maketu Coastguard in 2009, formerly known as the Maketu Volunteer Sea Rescue Service, which he had also helped to start in 2000.

A couple of months ago, Mr Beech also received the regional equivalent of the same award, having been chosen from 16 coastguard units within the Coastguard eastern region.

Mr Beech said he was especially honoured to have received the award.

"I was very surprised and very humbled as this award is way up there because it has national significance, and is something I'm very, very proud of. But this award isn't just about me. I have accepted it on behalf of the whole Maketu unit team."

When asked how many volunteer hours he clocked up each week on his Coastguard and Fire Chief duties, Mr Beech said: "I have never sat down and figured it all out.

"It would be quite scary if I did."

He is also chairman of the Maketu Community Board. A local boatie, who did not want to be named, said he desperately needed Maketu Coastguard on Saturday when his 5.5m alloy boat broke down about a nautical mile from Pukehina Beach.

"The weather was getting very rough and me and my son needed a tow," he said.

"I have got a lot of praise for Shane and the team, as without them, even if we had got my boat going again, I don't think we could have gotten over the bar."

Coastguard's Eastern Region's operations manager Stuart Lowth confirmed he nominated Mr Beech for this award.

"He has done so much for Maketu Coastguard Service ... He richly deserves this award."