Mount Maunganui lifeguards getting their equipment under police supervision and with the approval and support of other organisations. Video / AckerMerc - @ackermerc
Lifeguards and emergency service helpers have been quickly removing rescue equipment from the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service building this morning.
Reporters at the scene saw lifeguards moving quickly, removing kayaks, running in and out of the building, loading boats on to trailers to be moved outside the cordon by tractoror buggy.
The clubhouse at the base of Mauao has been declared as unsafe to occupy following last Thursday’s landslide.
The multimillion-dollar building is one of four sites on Adams Ave issued with a red placard under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act.
A red placard means a building is unsafe to occupy due to external risks, but it does not automatically mean it has to be demolished.
In a post to social media, Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service confirmed this morning that they had recovered more equipment, including competitive and junior surf resources.
The Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service building is one of four sites on Adams Ave issued with a red placard under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act. Photo / Corey Fleming
“This was undertaken by a small team stood up by the logistic group of our incident response team and was undertaken in a very carefully planned and monitored operation with the full permission and support of the Tauranga City Council, NZ Police and local iwi.”
The post said this would allow members to continue training, and keep the next generation of lifeguards engaged and improving their skills.
“We thank all those involved in allowing this to happen smoothly and incident-free, including our neighbouring clubs Omanu and Papamoa, and for the ongoing support of the New Zealand Police, Tauranga City Council, iwi, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, our fellow surf clubs, sponsors, and supporters.”
A shipping container on the beach had everything inside removed, which could be seen in front of the building, and was dragged out of the cordon by two tractors
Reporters on the scene said all items removed had been placed just outside the cordon, and everything was being moved down to the Commons Ave area.
Tractors dragged a shipping container down the beach away from the surf club. Photo/ Corey Fleming
A security guard said there was concern about another slip happening, but removing all the equipment was likely a precaution.
Tauranga City Council confirmed they were removing equipment, and police were seen helping out, with surfboards, paddleboards and flags being removed.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said police had allowed members of the Mount Maunganui Surf Club access to their facilities.
“The members are under strict police supervision, and have been allowed time to collect any relevant items from the clubrooms to continue their operations.”
