By SCOTT INGLIS
The Auckland Volunteer Coastguard has accused its national body of trying to steal its present and potential members.
The New Zealand Coastguard Federation is starting a national membership scheme, likened to the Automobile Association, under which boaties pay $49.95 to join and receive two free non-emergency callouts a year.
The scheme is to help to finance the country's 62 affiliated coastguards, many of which are struggling financially.
But the giant Auckland Coastguard, which has spent 60 years building its membership of nearly 7000, says it already offers Hauraki Gulf boaties a comprehensive service. It is upset that the national federation is poaching on its territory.
"It's like the NZ Rugby Union seeking memberships in competition with the Ponsonby Rugby Club," said Auckland president Kevin O'Sullivan.
The federation rejected this, describing Auckland as "selfish."
It said the scheme was crucial for the survival of the smaller coastguard units and there were plenty of boaties for both organisations.
The two bodies have spent 15 months trying to reach a compromise.
The Auckland Coastguard's $70 membership includes one free tow a year and 13 other services, including education and communication services, discounts on equipment, plus access to a sophisticated $250,000 automated weather system. It also runs the 24-hour marine rescue centre.
Auckland said it was ironic that its staff would be called out to help boaties who joined the national scheme. It has warned members to avoid the offer.
But federation chief executive Kevin Rangi said coastguard units desperately needed the money because lotteries finance was no longer guaranteed.
Lotteries grants had made up 55 per cent of the federation's coffers, with the rest coming from fundraising.
Mr Rangi said there were 13,000 coastguard members nationally but up to 300,000 pleasure boats, which meant the membership potential was huge.
"We've got to look beyond this patch-protection attitude."
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