Keeping all boaties safe on the water at Waihi Beach

Keeping all boaties safe on the water at Waihi Beach

Knowing exactly where boats are heading when they launch from Waihi Beach or nearby boat ramps can make all the difference in a search and rescue situation.

That’s why Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard are keen to install new Automatic Trip Reporting equipment in their radio communications room, and are encouraging people to register an official call sign for their boat.

Treasurer Don Young says the new technology will enable more accurate and expansive trip reporting every time people head out on the water.

“It will allow us to type in their call sign and all their info will automatically come up – where they normally leave from, their car and trailer registration numbers, who their next of kin are, where they usually go.

“We’re very keen to install it. It will relieve the stress when we are really concerned about an overdue vessel. We’ll have all the information about them already at our fingertips. It’s almost a quantum leap in regards to data gathering.”

Don says Coastguard currently has to write such details down every time a boat radios in, and half of all boaties don’t bother making contact to report their trip at all.

New Funding Available

Now, thanks to a $20,280 donation from BayTrust, installing such equipment is one step closer.

In addition to Automatic Trip Reporting, Waihi Beach Coastguard committee may also use some of the funding for lifejackets, uniforms and training for 10 new volunteer crew members.

The organisation’s operational costs exceed $66,000 per year and just 50 per cent is covered by annual membership subscriptions. “The rest we must find ourselves,” Don explains. “We can spend up to $1500 a month on fuel alone.”

Saving Lives At Sea

Waihi Beach is an ever-popular place for boaties to set out for a day’s fishing, waterskiing or for a picnic on Matakana Island.

Last summer (December-February 2015) the local Coastguard answered 3974 radio calls and had 21 calls for help from boaties in trouble involving 34 people “who would have been seriously inconvenienced or, potentially much worse, had we not been able to offer Coastguard assistance,” Don says.

The bar at Bowentown can be “treacherous” in certain conditions. The proper technique and extreme vigilance is always required and vessels often get into trouble trying to cross it.

“Even a simple trip over the bar can turn very nasty if something goes wrong. It can be very frightening.”

The local Coastguard, established 25 years ago, has two rescue vessels and aims to always have a highly-trained crew on stand-by. The communications room, which is central to all search operations, is manned at least eight hours a day, every day of the year.

“We have no paid employees here. We have 49 active volunteers helping to keep our community safe on the water. We are always keen for more men and women to join us and help us in our mission of ‘saving lives at sea’.

Becoming A Member

Joining Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard costs boaties just $75 a year – money well spent considering it costs $175 for a single tow if their motor dies (members get towed for free).

Don says registering a call sign with Coastguard Boating Education Services (www.boatingeducation.org.nz) costs $45 and is an excellent way to help them ensure people remain safe out on the water.

“Even if people are not Coastguard members, we want to know where they so we can help them in their hour of need. That’s our job.”

ENDS

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