Onwards and upwards for Sea Rescue

Mangonui-based Far North Radio and Sea Rescue Inc, formerly Far North Coastguard Radio Inc, which severed ties with Coastguard New Zealand on March 1, was enjoying strong community support and making real progress, president Annette Hall said in her annual report.

The decision to return to the community had been made after Ms Hall attended a Coastguard Northern Region (CNR) board meeting in Auckland in late February, in an effort to finally resolve on-going operational issues that had been outstanding since 2008.

The hostility in the room had been palpable, she said, but decisions were made that had since allowed all parties to move forward.

The board had acknowledged Doubtless Bay's highly effective and valued radio service, and there was no further talk of CNR running it from Auckland. Assistance to train the radio operators should the new organisation decide to become 'professional' was also offered.

Ms Hall had have since been advised that Far North Radio and Sea Rescue was the fifth Coastguard unit to sever ties with the national organisation and return to their local communities in recent times.

"We have since received outstanding support from the community," she added

"The plan to build a shelter for [rescue boat] 'Lily Walker' at Mangonui Haulage was abandoned when once again Jack and Jenny Sutton, of Doubtless Bay Water, offered to provide a secure shed for her. Simon and Sandra Allan, the new proprietors of GAS at Cooper's Beach, have generously sponsored 12 months' worth of fuel for 'Lily Walker' and the jet ski. Thanks also to Paul and Rowan, the owners of Wilton's Garage at Mangonui, for the very generous discount they offered us for the purchase of the jet ski and the 12 months' free servicing that went with it."

Both the rescue boat and the jet ski had been proudly displayed at the Mangonui Festival, generating great interest from the public, while several suitably qualified and experienced locals had signed up to join the crew. The SSM survey for 'Lily Walker' had been completed, and a full training regime was being put in place.

"Hopefully a higher profile on the water will encourage more recreational boaties to subscribe to our organisation," Ms Hall added.

"Membership this last year has remained the same, despite an increase in radio traffic. In April I had a meeting with committee members from Russell Radio, who advised that they were no longer able to provide a service to offshore yachties. This vital service is now part of our already busy schedule.

"Our radio skeds have increased by an hour and a half each night, and there had been some very interesting calls from voyagers over most of the South Pacific as well as Australia and north of the Equator. Another onshore station had been installed in Paihia to assist with extra radio traffic from yachties returning home to New Zealand from mid-September to mid-December."

Constant contact was kept with Customs, and updated positions were emailed to families every night.

A total of 27,103 radio calls were logged in the year to June, with 219 calls for assistance. Major incidents included two helivac rescues from the Three Kings, a diver suspected with the bends and a local father and son who caused a massive search and rescue operation when they went out for a couple of hours from Mangonui on a Sunday afternoon and weren't retrieved until lunchtime next day.

"There is buoyancy in the new organisation, and previous enthusiasm has returned," Ms Hall said.

"We are all looking forward to a busy, safe summer with our increased public profile, but the challenges facing volunteer organisations are extraordinary, especially in our situation where there is no direct government funding. Membership subscriptions provide the majority of our income. Without the continued generous support from the commercial fishing companies, charter vessel operators, local Lions clubs and businesses, this service would not exist.

"The minimal radio service that operates out of Whangaroa and the Bay of Islands is testament to this."