Auckland sends second rescue boat to Brisbane

Auckland amphibious boat manufacturer Sealegs International is to deploy a second rescue craft in Brisbane, where the craft have impressed authorities with their rescue capabilities in this week's devastating floods.

The company sent a 6.1 metre RIB rescue craft and crew to Brisbane earlier this week and the internationally unique and patented New Zealand invention immediately proved its worth with a rescue of 40 people at Logan, one of the worst affected areas, in conjunction with the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) rescue operations.

Sealegs has now loaned a second 6.1m amphibious RIB and crew to work alongside the SES volunteers as they battle to help the thousands of people affected by the worst flooding in decades.

Company chief executive David McKee Wright said that the company's Australian representative, Tom Carlisle, was heading the company's rescue contribution in Brisbane.

"We have sold more than 75 boats into Australia in the last five years but have only recently started talking to the rescue and emergency services about our unique amphibious rescue capabilities," Mr McKee Wright said.

"I wish the authorities did not have to experience the capability of amphibious boats in such tragic circumstance, but delighted Sealegs is proving itself an asset on the front line of first response and rescue craft," he said.

Mr Carlisle said that the ability to "float-drive-float-drive-float" without stopping enabled rescues and delivery of emergency supplies to properties on hills marooned by water in speedy fashion whereas traditionally crews would have had to moor then walk the supplies up the hill. Rescues of the elderly who couldn't walk down hills were also assisted, he said.

"Stranded families do not have to wade through the dangerous waters to gain access to the boat - we simply drive up and they are able to board. This means that each operation we embark on is quicker and safer."

Mr Carlisle said today that it would take many more days for the floodwaters to recede.

"And even then we anticipate our boats will still be deployed for another week or so. The big worry is that the floodwaters are flowing inland and heading into New South Wales and potentially even as far away as the 2500km to Melbourne."

Sealegs is based in Auckland where the company's concept of amphibious boating was first invented and where they continue to be manufactured. The majority of the boats are sold and used by customers all over the world and there are now over 450 Sealegs amphibious boats in 25 countries worldwide.

- NZPA