Team effort to save lives installs safety gear at The Bluff

BENEDICTION ON THE BEACH: Te Kao minister Emma Dunn blessing the new lifesaving equipment at the bluff.

A real team effort has culminated in the completion of Coastguard Houhora's first community project, the permanent storage of lifesaving equipment at The Bluff on 90 Mile Beach.

The Bluff was a popular fishing location but was rugged and exposed, making it extremely dangerous; a number of lives had been lost there over the years, Coastguard Houhora president Robin Gemmell said.

It was that history, and the loss of a popular local identity, that had prompted the volunteers to assess the danger zones and provide lifesaving equipment, namely life rings, throwing lines and warning signs, for use in a future emergency.

"Hopefully having this lifesaving equipment may just save a life at sea, which is what Coastguard and the time we dedicate as volunteers is all about," Mr Gemmell said.

The community project had been an important one for the Houhora unit, which provided Coastguard's only search and rescue resource in the Far North, whose main area of operation was from the tip of Karikari Peninsula north. It had been formed two years ago by a group of enthusiastic locals, who together with Coastguard saw a need for a new strategically-located search and rescue unit in the Far North.

The Bluff project, which had been in the pipeline for the last 12 months, had been made possible by the generous support and collaboration of Place Makers Kaitaia, which provided the materials to build the shelters to house the equipment. Trustees of the Bluff Committee, together with Coastguard Houhora volunteers, assisted with the construction, and Steven Meha (Waihopo Farms), Wagener Engineering, Rarawa Enterprises, Brake's Colour Plus and Woods Glass provided support to enable the project to become a reality for the benefit of the whole community.

David Tommas, chief executive officer of Coastguard's Northern Region, said the Houhora unit played an important role in achieving the organisation's mission of saving lives at sea.

"As an organisation we are committed to serving all communities within our region, be they large or small," he said.

"We are indebted to the volunteers of Coastguard Houhora, and admire their dedication in helping make their community a safer place to live."

Meanwhile the Coastguard Houhora volunteers will be out and about in the community over summer selling tickets to Coastguard's popular summer lottery, with $7 from each $10 ticket sold will go directly to the unit.

"These funds will go a long way in supporting us as we start to fundraise to enable us to purchase a dedicated rescue vessel, which will replace the volunteer crew members' private vessels that are currently used to provide the search and rescue service for the Far North," Mr Gemmell said.

And with summer now here, boaties were urged to remember to take key safety steps to help them enjoy their boating safely.

That advice was to:

-Ensure that there is a lifejacket that is the correct size and fit for every person on board.

-Before setting out, always tell someone trustworthy (and preferably Coastguard) where you are going and what your intentions are. If something should happen, it will make the search and rescue efforts more efficient, meaning help will reach you faster.

-Check the marine weather forecast before you launch. Coastguard's NowCasting service offers free, reliable and up-to-date information.

-Avoid alcohol - safe boating and alcohol do not mix. Things can change quickly on the water, and you need to stay alert and aware.

-All vessels should have a VHF radio as the primary means of communication. Make sure you always carry a charged cell phone as a backup option, and keep it safe in a water-proof bag.

-The skipper is responsible the vessel and everyone on board at all times. Make sure all passengers have been given a safety briefing and know what to do in an emergency should anything happen to the skipper