Coastguard boss praised

Murray Miskelly had contributed more than 200 volunteer hours to search and rescue services.

Coastguard Northern Air Patrol president Murray Miskelly was one of three people recognised at the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council awards this week.

He received a certificate of achievement - support activity.

The council said Mr Miskelly, from Kerikeri, had contributed more than 200 volunteer hours to search and rescue services for Coastguard, and participated in every unit training operation.

He spent a significant amount of time with non-pilot members, ensuring they had a thorough understanding of basic operations in the aircraft while taking part in search and rescue operations.

Last year Mr Miskelly received the National Air Patrol Person of the Year and the Hutchwilco Volunteer of the Year awards from Coastguard New Zealand.

The citation for the Air Patrol Person of the Year Award stated: "Murray holds the role as unit president (and has just been re-elected to that role for the third time), and is also one of our operational pilots. He has been instrumental in transitioning the unit to a digital tablet-based navigation and planning system, and has both written the operational manual for this and conducts regular training sessions on such.

"When Murray joined the unit he undertook to get the members motivated in all available fundraising activities, in which he leads by example."

Mr Miskelly was praised for his professionalism.

"Whether he is in the pilot's seat or in the back providing training on the skills required for observation and using the digital tablet systems, Murray is integral in the safe running of all sorties."