Houhora has its dedicated rescue vessel

BLESSED: Apostle Tapihana Rollo blessing Houhora Coastguard's newly-acquired rescue vessel.

There was a time when those in trouble on the water off the far northern east coast could expect help to arrive in the form of locals using their own boats. And that worked well, according to Houhora Coastguard president Robin Gemmell.

In fact it worked so well that the rescue of three fishermen from rocks off the Karikari Peninsula late last year won a number of awards.

There came a point, however, where it was generally agreed that the community should "get organised and make it official." And on Saturday, more than three years after its establishment as an incorporated society under the Coastguard umbrella, the unit officially took delivery of a dedicated rescue vessel, as well as celebrating its official status as Houhora Coastguard. Coastguard Northern Region actually bought Houhora Rescue, a five-year-old 5.6m Naiad formerly operated by Coastguard in Howick, Mr Gemmell saying it was a good boat for Houhora.

The primary objective at this stage was the training of skippers and crew, and it was capable of doing everything it needed to do. It would get to North Cape and beyond "no trouble," while being transportable by trailer meant it could be delivered to the optimum launch site in any given situation.

The unit currently boasted two qualified skippers and three operational crew, only one of each being needed to respond to an emergency. Six more crew were close to becoming operational and a third skipper would also qualify shortly.

The unit enjoyed strong community support; "Coastguard is an easy brand to sell up here," Mr Gemmell said, adding that the unit would cover the area from Cape Reinga to Knuckle Point, the entrance to Doubtless Bay.

"It's a big area, but the boat is well equipped with everything we need," he said. "Today is a major milestone, the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people."

The next goal would be to erect a building, expected to cost around $60,000. That project was already under way, and would cater for the larger boat - 9.5m - that would be needed at some point in the future.

That meant there would be no end to the fundraising. So far money had been raised by selling hangi to 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza contestants, delivering phone books, felling trees - "anything that would put money in the bank."

Sponsors were vital too. With them, Mr Gemmell said, the unit would have had to work "a heck of a lot harder" than it had.

"It's taken huge commitment to get here," he said on Saturday, "and I could not be more proud to have been involved."

Northern region CEO Callum Gillespie told the gathering that in the last year Coastguard volunteers had assisted 6800 people who had been in some form of distress. The organisation had an educational as well as a search and rescue role.

"The capability we have here now can really make a difference," he added, also acknowledging the support received from the community, Foundation North and the Northland Regional Council.