It's official: Maketu has its own coastguard. For nine years, volunteer firefighters have stepped into the role but an increasing number of rescues along the coastline meant the seaside town needed its own unit. Shane Beech, chief fire officer, is president of the affiliated Coastguard New Zealand Unit. Formerly known as Maketuvolunteer sea rescue, the coastguard service has 21 active crew, including two qualified skippers trained to respond to marine emergencies. "This means rescue will be more efficient because the unit has better access to funding and resources," said Mr Beech. With more resources, the coastguard team is able to do more prevention and education, which is important for water safety. The volunteer firefighters were sad to be no longer doing the job but "it was getting too busy to do both firefighting and coastguard duties". Some volunteers would be able to continue firefighting and coastguard work. "The two organisations complement each other and we have six firefighters doing both services," he said. The coastguard unit is volunteer-based and to run smoothly, Mr Beech said it relied on them having good employers who let them go when they were needed. Maketu coastguard has this year attended 15 callouts; there were 20 last year. Mr Beech said rescues peaked in summer. "People come from all over and we see visitors doing all kinds of recreational activities, like surf casting, diving, swimming, boating and diving. "The area offers an amazing marine playground for fishing, diving and boating, however with four major boat ramps and three bar crossings, it can be extremely treacherous in certain conditions." Collectively, volunteers dedicate around 238 hours a month to the coastguard unit. Coastguard New Zealand president Ian Coard said: "The addition of the unit at Maketu improves our capability to respond in an area of coastline that is seeing an increasing number of recreational water based activities. Shane and his team are a welcome inclusion to the network of Coastguard marine search and rescue units."
