The sea will be just that little bit safer thanks to grants from the Mazda Foundation totalling more than $7000 towards boat upgrades for lifesavers and young mariners.
Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Patrol received $6176 from the foundation to buy a new Mercury outboard motor for one of its inflatable rescue boats (IRB).
Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Patrol powercraft officer Ryan Trounce said the motor will help the patrol in the summer.
"It will increase the speed of the boat and our response time in emergency situations, which is critical for any rescue attempt."
The new motor will also be of use for the eight new IRB drivers being trained to "increase the skill-set within the club and provide Northland with more IRB- ready crews," he said.