Chopper's eye back in the sky

Lifesaving development officer Andy Kent is ready for action. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Auckland beachgoers can swim easier this summer now that the local rescue chopper will be hovering along the coastlines.

Four years after the service was withdrawn because of a lack of money, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter will from Saturday run beach patrols every weekend from its Mechanics Bay base.

The service, which will run for six months, will cover the east coast up to Omaha, across to Piha and back down the west coast.

During the busy holiday period between December 26 and January 17 it will patrol the beaches daily.

The helicopter will carry out lifesaving operations, scan the waters for sharks, provide information to authorities on surf conditions and updates on traffic travelling to and from popular holiday spots.

As well as the standard rescue chopper crew of an advanced paramedic, pilot and a crew member, the beach patrol service will include a surf lifeguard provided by Surf Lifesaving Northern Region.

The service, part of a major sponsorship programme with SkyCity and the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and launched yesterday, is in addition to the chopper's usual emergency call-out responses.

John Hooper, general manager of fundraising for the rescue helicopter, said the trust ran a similar service in 2005 but was able to get into the air only about once a week because of limited funds.

It costs about $5000 an hour to run the helicopter when petrol, maintenance, medical equipment and staff costs are factored in.

About 550 rescues were carried out last year at a cost of $2.7 million, so every dollar helped, Mr Hooper said.

Last summer was the helicopter's busiest since the trust started in the 1970s with 80 rescues during January, so he was expecting a busy summer.

SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said broadcaster Paul Holmes, who is on the helicopter trust, had approached him about the partnership over lunch and he had agreed.

"If we can help and it saves someone's life, you can't put a price on that.

"And it's a really positive thing, it gets people outside, enjoying the sun and surf because they feel safe."

Mr Morrison said he hoped the partnership would continue.

Patrol information will be broadcast on the Radio Network Auckland frequencies as part of its hourly news bulletins.