Two more Coastguard awards come north

DOUBLE HONOUR: Northland Coastguard Air Patrol president Murry Miskelly, winner of two national awards. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

Like the men and women who crew Coastguard rescue vessels and aircraft elsewhere around New Zealand, the Kerikeri-based Northland Coastguard Air Patrol (NorthCAP) crew are volunteers, willing to drop everything to assist those in distress at sea when they are needed.

And there can be no doubt that they are very good at their job.

Late last year NorthCAP, Houhora Coastguard and the Coastguard Northern Region Communications team joined forces to find three fisherman missing off the Karikari Peninsula. NorthCAP, airborne at first light, found the men sheltering on rocks and directed the Houhora Coastguard rescue vessel to the scene, while the CNR radio team in Auckland co-ordinated the rescue.

In September all three units were jointly awarded the Coastguard Northern Region Rescue of the Year Award as a result.

Now NorthCAP president Murray Miskelly (Kerikeri) has added to the accolades, receiving the National Air Patrol Person of the Year and the Hutchwilco Volunteer of the Year awards at the Coastguard New Zealand AGM and awards ceremony.

To receive three awards in one year was an impressive achievement for a small Coastguard unit of dedicated, local volunteers, and the NorthCAP crew were very proud of their president's success, past president Alan Murgatroyd said.

The citation for the Air Patrol Person of the Year Award stated: 'Murray holds the role as Unit President (and has just been re-elected to that role for the third time), and is also one of our operational pilots. He has been instrumental in transitioning the unit to a digital tablet-based navigation and planning system, and has both written the operational manual for this, and conducts regular training sessions on such.

'When Murray joined the unit he undertook to get the members motivated in all available fundraising activities, in which he leads by example. He's a licensed professional pilot, and approaches all flights in the Coastguard aircraft with the proper professional attitude with the focus on safety, procedures and outcome. Whether he is in the pilot's seat or in the back providing training on the skills required for observation, and using the digital tablet systems, Murray is integral in the safe running of all sorties."

The Hutchwilco citation stated: "Coastguard Volunteers have been recognised at the Coastguard New Zealand Awards of Excellence for outstanding contributions to their communities. The annual awards honour the brave individuals and their units who provide a crucial life-saving service to Kiwis using New Zealand waterways.

"His dedication to Coastguard was evident in everything he did. His commitment to Coastguard was outstanding, and his vast experience had seen him lead the way in linking air patrols, to complement Coastguard's rescue vessel fleet.

'He is a leader who is respected by his peers and his ability to pass on his vast knowledge to others holds him in high regard. He is a passionate volunteer who has the ability to persuade and motivate others for the betterment of Coastguard,' it added.