Avoid Muriwai this weekend say cash-strapped guards

People are being told to avoid Muriwai beach this weekend by lifeguards who say they cannot patrol the beach properly.

Muriwai lifeguards say they lack the facilities to cover the beach after efforts to reinstate the club's lifeguard patrol tower, which became unstable following a large storm in September, foundered because of a lack of funding.

Chairman Tim Jago said the club did not have the $20,000 required to put in new foundations, lift the tower into position and reconnect utility services.

An earlier understanding that insurers would fund the replacement tower fell through on Wednesday, and urgent meetings with funding agencies and local councils proved fruitless, said Mr Jago.

The club now had no option but to cease work until it found funding, he said.

The tower houses emergency communications and first aid equipment, and provides lifeguards with an elevated platform to observe the beach and inshore surf areas.

Muriwai lifeguards patrol the southern reaches of Muriwai beach, but frequently respond to incidents further north along the beach as far as the five-mile mark.

In October a fisherman drowned after being swept off rocks, and three weeks ago a boat foundered in surf when trying to beach at the Okiritoto stream.

Mr Jago said without the tower, the club did not have the facilities to base enough patrols, observe the beach and communicate with other emergency services.

"In the circumstances we are advising swimmers, boaties and surfers to avoid Muriwai beach, and we will be erecting signage this weekend making this clear."