Fast rescue boat will patrol North Shore beaches

Surf lifeguards will introduce a fast rescue craft on their patrols of North Shore beaches this summer.

The specially adapted Yamaha Waverunner has a top speed of 80km/h, says the chief executive of Surf Lifesaving Northern Region, Steve Johns.

Two senior lifeguards will be on board and in radio contact with the Marine Rescue Centre and 111 emergency services.

The boat's medical equipment includes oxygen and a defibrillator.

Mr Johns said the craft proved successful last year off Auckland's west coast surf beaches. It could reach remote areas more quickly than vehicles or even aircraft in some cases.

The craft would cover the North Shore area between Whangaparaoa and Devonport at weekends and public holidays from Christmas until mid-March.

The service would complement beach patrols by surf lifeguards at Mairangi Bay, Red Beach and Orewa.

Mr Johns is worried that people might confuse beach inspectors employed by the North Shore City Council with lifeguards on patrol.

The Herald reported yesterday that the council had hired three experienced surf lifesavers to patrol beaches, including Browns Bay where three people drowned in January. They would be in uniform, be equipped with rescue and first aid gear and be in cellphone contact with police and emergency services.

But Mr Johns said the officers had other duties to do and would not be at all the beaches all the time.

People should not assume that because these officers were occasionally visiting each beach that it would be safe to swim there.

"Even at a seemingly safe beach things can easily go wrong and the safest place to swim is between the flags at a beach where surf life guards are on patrol all day."