Owner all at sea over lifeboat that's now open to offers for sale

SHIPSHAPE: Brian Angliss on the bridge in his Arun class lifeboat 52-18. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Brian Angliss owns one of the finest all-weather boats ever built for rescue work - and as he was unable to virtually give it away it's now up for sale.

He offered his Arun class lifeboat designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to Coastguard Northern Region for use on the Tutukaka coast, offering to pay the boat's insurance, marina, servicing, maintenance and survey costs.

Mr Angliss, 69, a retired UK carmaker now living at Ngunguru, also offered to cover fuel and general running costs save for when the boat was used for Coastguard work.

But the only time the Arun saw any rescue service was when it went to the aid of a Tutukaka Coastguard crew injured when their rescue boat ran on to rocks off Pataua South in 2009.

The Arun, with Mr Angliss at the helm, shepherded to safety a couple of yachties the Coastguard crew had gone out to save, then towed the rescue boat back to Tutukaka.

The Arun was used for Coastguard training while the rescue boat was being repaired.

However, it wasn't deemed suitable for long-term use by the Coastguard.

So now it on the hard in the Norsand boatyard at Whangarei with Mr Angliss waiting for an offer of up to $400,000.

Mr Angliss bought the 34-tonne Arun lifeboat 52-18 in 2003 fresh from a refit of its engines and electronics.

The lifeboat, which has a crew of six, is 15.9m long, 5.2m wide and powered by twin diesel motors which can move it at up to 18.5 knots (34.3km/h) through all seas.

Its range at full speed is 250 nautical miles (463km). It has radios, radar, chart plotters, depth sounders and other gear standard for Arun lifeboats in RNLI service.

The vessel is self-righting if it capsizes.

Mr Angliss considers it a shame the Arun is not wanted. He thought his offer would provide a good addition to current Coastguard services on the Northland east coast, particularly with the possibility of a major rescue some day being required at the Poor Knights Islands.

Asked to explain why the lifeboat wasn't required, Coastguard Northern Region operations manager Graham Petrie said it was critical that community funds were directed towards vessels that were fit for purpose and placed on an evidence-based needs assessment.

"In addition to this, for the purposes of training consistency and service delivery our vessels require a minimal level of standardisation," he said.

"Unfortunately the Arun lifeboat doesn't meet this criteria.

"In addition, manning requirements have to be considered where the Arun lifeboat requires a significant undertaking to launch the vessel in comparison and require a significantly more intense maintenance programme in comparison."