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Diver Rescued for the Second Time. A dive on his favourite spot for crayfish off Kapiti Island, north of Wellington could have turned tragic for a Paraparaumu man on more than one occasions recently.
When he had surfaced from his dive at about 3.40pm, he could not alert the skipper to his position some 400m from the boat. His friends on the boat began searching for him and at about 6pm as they had not found him they let off two flares which were seen onshore. Police were alerted and Coastguard were tasked to respond.
The diver managed to use his torch to alert Pharazyn Rescue, the Coastguard Kapiti Coast rescue vessel to his where abouts. He was found at about 6.30pm approximately one nautical mile from where his mates were looking for him, about half way between Kapiti Island and the Kapiti coast.
The story could have ended there except that less than a month later Police received a 111 call by cell phone from boaties to say they had a missing diver. You guessed it. The same diver was missing. The diver had begun his dive at about 12.35pm and surfaced at the due time 30 minutes later, about 300metres from the boat. He waved and shouted but once again could not attract the attention of the three on the boat in the choppy conditions and was “swept away very fast” by the current.
This sparked a large search involving two Coastguard Rescue Vessels, the Coastguard Air Patrol aircraft, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and four other boats that responded to the mayday call. Fortunately the diver was found by one of the private boats returning to the mainland.
After he had been rescued the first time, Police and the Coastguard warned him not to go out alone, to take an inflatable emergency dive marker, called a dive sausage and to ensure his boat had a functioning VHF radio for two way communication. He had none of those things which police described as “disappointing all round that he didn’t, because the people who are losing out the most are the family if something untoward happens to him”.
In both cases, this diver was not only unwise, he was also very lucky not to have turned into another diving fatality. There are some very important basic lessons that can be taken from these incidents. Coastguard Kapiti Coast President Rob Faulke offers the following advice:
Always check the weather forecast before you go boating and know the conditions. Weather conditions can and do change very quickly. You should always make sure that you have listened or read the very latest forecast and then plan your trip according to what the conditions are and what they are expected to be. You also need to be aware of what the currents are doing in the area where you are boating, especially if you are going diving. All marine charts will show the direction and speed of currents.
If you go diving, ALWAYS dive with a buddy and ALWAYS carry an inflatable emergency dive marker called a dive sausage. No one ever expects to have an accident when they go boating or diving but nevertheless it is always prudent to prepare in case something does go wrong. Diving can be a dangerous sport and if you are diving alone and get into difficulty, it can be very difficult for someone on the surface to help, which is why you should always dive with another person. You should always carry a dive sausage with you when diving. That way if you do surface away from your support boat it will be easier for someone to be able to locate you.
When going boating you must always carry at least two forms of communication devices in case you get into difficulty. Coastguard and other agencies can’t help if we don’t know where you are. In this case, the first time the boaties let off a flare to notify people on the shore that someone was in difficulty. The second time they were carrying a cell phone and were able to contact the police directly. You should always carry at least two different forms of communication when on the water, such as a cellphone (in a waterproof sealable plastic bag), a marine VHF radio, flares and torches.
By far the best form of communication when on the water is a VHF radio. When you use a marine VHF radio it can be picked up by a range of different people at once, whereas a cell phone will only be picked up by one person. VHF channels are monitored by the Coastguard and also Maritime New Zealand, so there is always someone listening. If your vessel or someone on your vessel is in imminent danger, don’t be afraid to issue a distress call. If something has gone seriously wrong out on the water, or if you have someone missing, always issue a distress call at the earliest possible moment. It is better to send out a distress call and then cancel it after you have made sure the situation is safe than waiting too long to get help. (Updated 26 May 2008) Busy day for Coastguard Wellington.
Sunday 17 February 2008 was a very early start for rescue boat crews from Coastguard Wellington, Coastguard Marlborough and Coastguard Kapiti Coast who turned out with Crash Fire vessels from Wellington Airport to meet the luxury ocean liner Queen Victoria on her maiden voyage, as she made her way into Wellington Harbour at about 6.30am. The $676 million, 90,000 tonne vessel certainly made an impressive sight as she made her way out of a gloomy dawn past Barrett Reef into Wellington Harbour. Photograph above left: The ocean liner Queen Victoria as viewed from the helm of Interislander Rescue, Coastguard Marlborough's rescue vessel. Photograph above right: Coastguard Wellington's two rescue vessels and one of Coastguard Kapiti Coast's vessels in close formation while the Queen Victoria made her way to her berth.
Later the same day Coastguard Wellington's Spirit of Wellington took part in a traditional Italian event at Island Bay which is the Blessing of the Fleet. This has been occurring for some years at Island Bay however dates back centuries where in Italy fishing vessels were blessed every spring as the was a religious belief that the boats having been blessed received the grace of god, that the fishermen would be protected from the sea and weather and they would also reap the bounty of the seas. The procession of vessels making there way forward for a blessing was very colourful with various flags and buntings flying on boats of all shapes and sizes.
Photograph above right: Spirit of Wellington moves forward to be blessed. Photograph above left: The various vessels forming up prior to the Blessing of the Fleet. (Updated 19 February 2008)
Coastguard New Zealand Boutique Lottery Winner - Wellingtonian Julian Honiss
Julian Honiss of Wellington couldn’t believe his good fortune when he received a phone call in December from Bruce Reid (Chief Executive) to advise him he was the winner of the 2007 Coastguard Boutique Lottery. “Calling Julian to let him know he had won was made challenging as he was only able to be called at home, so by the time he had made it home from work I had called four or five times. This meant all the family was already in on it, but they managed to keep the secret until the call and needless to say Julian was ecstatic” says Reid. Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets – and good luck with the Summer Lottery. Perhaps it will be your photo taking home the prize?
Photograph: Julian discusses his new boat with Coastguard Wellington President Terry Sampson after receiving the keys. (Updated 15 February 2008)
Coastguard Happenings! Coastguard Photographs left to right: Coastguard Wanganui exercises with 3 Squadron, Coastguard Manawatu towing the fire stricken vessel home and completing a tow with a difference! (Coastguard Manawatu photographs courtesy of Peter Fletcher )
(Updated 15 February 2008)
TG Macarthy Trust distributes $50,000 grant to Coastguard Units The generosity of Wellington benefactor, the late Thomas George Macarthy, was recognised again this week at the announcement of the 2007 grants for the TG Macarthy Trust by Public Trust, trustee for the TG Macarthy Trust. Public Trust’s Senior Advisor in Wanganui Roger Morrison presented a cheque for $50,000 today to the Coastguard Central Region Inc. Coastguard Central Region Inc Regional Manager Phil Pollero says, “We are very grateful to the TG Macarthy Trust for its ongoing support of our services. Our Units provide voluntary marine search and rescue in this region as well as educational support to their local boating communities. This grant will help our Units from Wellington to Wanganui meet their day to day operational, administration, training and maintenance costs. We rely on the contribution of grants such as this and sponsorship, as well as the more than 300 volunteers to provide Coastguard services in Central Region.” Established in 1912 after the death of the Wellington brewer and benefactor, the TG Macarthy Trust has been managed by Public Trust since its inception. The Trust’s purpose is to provide assistance to a wide variety of charities and educational institutions in the greater Wellington region. Public Trust’s Senior Advisor in Wanganui Roger Morrison said, “The grants for 2007 reflect very much the wishes of Mr Macarthy to help deserving charitable and educational organisations in the greater Wellington region. Since 1912 over $48 million has been distributed to many diverse organisations. More than $25 million has been distributed over the last 10 years.” “Public Trust is privileged to act as trustee for the T G Macarthy Trust and make the distribution of grants to these well-deserving organisations. Mr Macarthy was known as a quiet, reserved man of a kindly nature, ever ready to give in the cause of genuine need. The lives of many in the community have been enriched through his philanthropy. Public Trust looks forward to safeguarding and distributing the fruits of his labour to deserving organisations for many years to come,” said Mr Morrison. Excerpt of Media Release issued by the Sorensen Group on behalf of Public Trust. (Updated 26 October 2007)
Wellington Airport and Community Trust of Wellington Wellington Airport and The Community Trust of Wellington awarded the efforts of six outstanding community organisations for their volunteer work at the 2007 Wellington Airport Community Awards. The Community Awards recognise and celebrate the diverse ways in which volunteer groups contribute so strongly to the fabric of our communities and to the vibrancy of the greater Wellington region.
(Extracts from the Wild at Heart Wellington Airport Media Release 1 October 2007) Again congratulations to the Coastguard Kapiti Coast Team on receiving this community award. In keeping with Steven Fitzgerald's comments, “These awards go right to the heart of the community, and are about people who believe in the importance of community - people who are self-motivated and selfless.”. What esle can be said, well done Team!! (Updated 4 October 2007)
The Week that Was: 27 August to 2 September 2007 Tuesday evening the 28 August saw the Kapiti Civic and Regional Awards being presented. Peter Dixon was awarded for his long Coastguard service as Well done Peter and the Team, congratulations to you all!! Photographs: To left: Peter Dixon after receiving his Community Award from Mayor Alan Milne. And to right: Unit President Rob Faulke giving those present some background on what it means to be a volunteer for Coastguard at Kapiti.
Wednesday evening saw the Coastguard Marlborough Team receiving recognition for five, ten and fifteen year Service to Coastguard. Mayor Alistair Sowman congratulated and thanked all of those receiving their Service Certifcates for their service to the Marlborough community and in particular thanked their partners for the support they provided to their partners which was often overlooked. Well done Team and congratulations to you all!! Photographed with Mayor Alistair Sowman are the Marlborough Team onboard the historic trading scow Echo.
NowCasting at Wellington operates on VHF Channel 23 & at Nelson on VHF Channel 22. Thursday saw NowCasting launched at Nelson. This service gives mariners “up to the minute” weather conditions which are happening NOW at critical locations within the local VHF radio coverage area. The objective is to improve marine safety by providing all mariners, professional or amateur, a 24 hour continuous automatic information stream of the latest possible weather information, so that they can make better decisions about commencing or continuing their journeys. NowCasting was first introduced into the Hauraki Gulf by Auckland Coastguard some twenty years ago and is considered by their members to be one of the top safety services provided by Coastguard. Last year the service was introduced into the greater Wellington/Cook Strait area providing for excellent coverage of Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds and west coast of the North Island to Foxton. Once fully established at Nelson, further broadcasting sites will be established throughout Central Region and a good part of the rest of New Zealand. The Nelson based service will obtain data from five weather sites operated by Coastguard and MetService plus wind and wave data from the Port Nelson outer leading beacon. Wind is the most critical factor in knowing the sea-conditions. Coastguard uses automatic anemometers positioned at critical sites, which are radio-interrogated every sixty seconds. The data is brought back to a central computer and broadcast on VHF radio using recorded voice segments. Recordings of the latest marine forecast and tide times plus station notices complete the repeating circuit. The NowCasting broadcast at Nelson will consist of four parts:
Coastguard New Zealand developed the technology and software to provide the service which is provided free-to-air at Coastguard’s cost, assisted by sponsors and supporters. Metservice works with Coastguard on the data-gathering, as the data is also input to national marine forecasting to improve their quality. Coastguard has been very fortunate to obtain a broadcasting site on Mount Campbell near Takaka which at a height of over 1,300 metres provides excellent coverage in Golden and Tasman Bays and into parts of The Marlborough Sounds. Photograph at right shows Coastguard Nelson President Ian Shaw listening to NowCasting at Nelson as it came on line for the first time.
A change for most was the opportunity to spot a whale which all Air Patrols did during that phase of the exercise. Seeing a whale being a bonus for most participants! Coastguard Taranaki Air Patrol Partinavia takes off to complete the flare drop. (Updated September 2007)
CCR AGM - August 2007
On Saturday 25 August CCR's AGM was held at which time Keith Bastin, Gary Darnell, Stephen Perry, Peter Dixon, John Weiss Jr, Graeme Ward and Ian Shaw were ratified as the Board Members for 2007 - 2008. A number of presentations were also made which included two from Caltex Awards recipients Brent Sarten and Peter Dixon. Both presentations were well received and provided some insight into how other Coastguard organisations operate. Above photograph shows Peter Dixon answering a question during his presentation and at right shows Brent Sarten discussing his time with the RHIOT School in Canada.
were presented. Coastguard South Taranaki was named Unit of the Year and Dick Chapman of Coastguard Marlborough was named Volunteer of the Year. The decision as to who would receive the Awards was very difficult as a result the very high calibre of Units and Volunteers in the Region. Besides the Award plagues, prizes provided by Hutchwilco, Advanced Trident Ltd and The Beachcomber Motel at Nelson were provided to the recipients. Photograph above left: Unit President John Linn receiving the Unit of the Year Award from CCR Board Chairman Keith Bastin while the photograph at right shows Dick Chapman contemplating a few words upon being awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award. (Updated August 2007)
Around the Region - May 2007
The training is based upon an aircraft ditching in the ocean and provided the Air Patrols with the opportunity to experience the disorientation which occurs when an 'aircraft' overturns in water and techniques to use in such circumstances. As one participant mentioned, 'Excellent training, hope we never have to use it'. A sentiment we all hold!
Photograph above shows the simulated ditched and overturned 'aircraft' and four of the crew surfaced while another makes their way out and another is still in the 'aircraft'. Photograph to the right shows the group practicing a survival circle technique (Updated 23 May 2007)
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Units around Central Region were busy over Christmas. From search & rescue operations; Coastguard Marlborough assisting Sealegs in making record attempts in their amphibious vessel across Cook Strait, to Coastguard Taranaki and South Taranaki assisting in the welcoming of the Transtasman kayakers into New Plymouth, Coastguard Wanganui and 3 Squadron from Ohakea providing a public display at
Downtown Thunder hydroplane event on the Whanganui River through to Coastguard Manawatu being called to assist a driver who got closer to the water than intended and more recently assisting a local vessel back to Foxton after if had a fire on board. 
was the Coastguard Kapiti Coast Team for service to the c
ommunity.
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Coastguard Central Region |