Rescue boat extras a boon for busy Coastguard crew

Auckland Coastguard's new Lion Foundation rescue vessel. Picture / Nick Reed

A state-of-the-art $2.5 million vessel is set to make a marked difference in the way water rescues are carried out.

Auckland Coastguard yesterday welcomed the new Lion Foundation Rescue boat to replace an 11-year-old boat which has been operating in the Hauraki Gulf and surrounding areas.

Coastguard general manager Duthie Lidgard (pictured) said it was an exciting development for the crews, as the vessel had been kitted out with the latest equipment and technology.

"Some of the features we now have are not just depth sounders but underwater imaging that scans sideways and ahead. This will help us find underwater objects.

"In bad weather - when most incidents occur - it is usually very rough and the boats are moving around a lot. Transferring victims can be hard for them and dangerous for our volunteers."

To help, the new vessel has a built-in hydraulic lifting platform that can be set at various heights to cater to different wharfs and jetties.

"It means we can wheel a stretcher or wheelchair directly aboard without any discomfort to the victim, then raise the platform to cockpit level and wheel them across the cockpit to the ambulance bay."

There is also an installed CCTV system that lets rescuers view and record all areas around the vessel.

Night vision equipment gives teams an advantage when searching after dark and the technology also allows crews to record in colour.

"Then there is the hull design, which is leading edge.

"We have a foil assisted catamaran design. The foil lifts the boat in the water and gives us additional speed, range and less fuel is used."

The boat also carries a specially-designed heated ambulance bay, which has an in-built adjustable sliding deck, medical supplies, oxygen and a bathroom.

Mr Lidgard said although the vessel would mainly operate around the Hauraki Gulf region, it would be made available anywhere in the country if needed.

To the rescue

Cost: $2.5 million
Designer: Teknicraft
Length: 15.5m, beam 5.8m
Top speed: 27 knots
• Includes a hydraulic lifting platform, adjustable to all heights
• Underwater imaging that scans sideways and ahead and night-vision equipment
• CCTV system that can be viewed and recorded and downloaded using WiFi
• Built-in ambulance bay. Includes sliding deck, medical supplies and equipment. Is also heated and is a "wet" area - ideal for all situations and easy to clean up afterwards.