Keeping us all safe this summer

KEEPING US ALL SAFE THIS

SUMMER By Kem Ormond

Coastguard volunteer rescue crews provide the primary maritime search and rescue service in New Zealand. Last year they brought over 6,000 people home safely after an emergency on the water. They do this by being organised, trained, and equipped 24/7.

Do you know . . .

Since the first Coastguard unit was formed in 1898, Coastguard has been run by volunteers, and that remains the case today. The volunteers are people from all communities and walks of life who dedicate a huge amount of their free time to keeping their fellow New Zealanders alive.

Coastguard volunteers spend many hundreds of thousands of hours on search and rescue missions, radio operations, training or maintenance work each year.

They’re highly trained professional volunteers, so you can be safe in the knowledge that when you call Coastguard for help, you’ll be in expert hands. And then there are the volunteers who are maybe not so keen on water, but happy to give a few hours each month, to fill an admin role.

Boating education saves lives

Whether you are new to boating or an old hand, we all can never have too much knowledge when it comes to rivers and the sea. A boating course will help you know what you’re doing and enjoy your boating even more. Skippers are responsible for everyone on their boat. As well as knowing what safety equipment to carry and how it functions, how to navigate and comply with rules and regulations, it’s essential to understand boating safety and what to do if something goes wrong.

Having the knowledge to avoid getting into trouble and knowing what to do in an emergency can save your life and the lives of those with you.

Boating Courses and Call Signs are administered nationally by Coastguard Boating Education - the training arm of Coastguard.

Check with your local Coastguard when their courses are being run or check out the following website https://www. coastguard.nz

Be safe in your boat this summer

Before you go boating on our seas, lakes and rivers follow these tips to help you stay safe. Make sure you check your equipment before heading out and check that you have enough life jackets for everyone aboard your vessel. Plus, make sure they are all wearing them.

Make sure that you have had your motor serviced and your boat lately and check your batteries. Having all this done prior to summer will benefit you in the long run. Also, if you have not used your boat over winter, check the old fuel.

If you are the skipper of your boat, you need to ensure you have everything in place for the safety of the people on board. Make sure you also have good communication in case you run into any difficulties while out boating.

How CoastguardNew Zealand is funded

Coastguard is a registered charity, and each year they need to raise roughly 70 per cent of their income from individuals, corporate sponsors and trusts. Coastguard operates a national membership scheme for boaties, regular national lotteries, and a range of fundraising activities including a monthly giving club and Coastguardians, a special group of supporters who leave a gift in their will to save lives at sea.

They cover the remaining 30 per cent of their costs through a service level agreement with the New Zealand government.

For further information check the website https://www.coastguard.nz

Source: Coastguard New Zealand

Always happy to lend a helping hand.

Northpine’s Stronger Communities programme is an annual fund helping the people of Bream Bay. Grants are announced in March, June, September and December from applications received in the Since September 2020 Stronger Communities has distributed about $50,000 locally –developing skills, helping good causes, enabling events and making local life a little easier in challenging times.

Bream Bay Surf Team

Bream Bay Swim Club

Parafed Northland One Tree Point Pony Club Bream Bay – The Learning Community

Liam Thornhill Takahiwai Netball Club

Youth Fit Academy

www.northpine.co.nz | stronger@northpine.co.nz www.northpine.co.nz | stronger@northpine.co.nz

RECIPIENTS SEPTEMBER 2020 – DECEMBER 2022 Bream Bay College, Bream Bay Combined Arts Group, Bream Bay Community Patrol, Bream Bay Community SupportTrust, Bream Bay Hockey Club, Bream Bay Swim Club, Bream Bay-The Learning Community, Bream Bay United FC, Children With Disability NZ, Jan Francis, Liam Thornhill, Linking Hands Inc, Northland Masters Golf, NZCB GolfTournament, Parafed Northland, Pulse Dance Studio,Takahiwai Netball Club, Waipu Business & Community Inc, Waipu Boat & Fishing Club, Waipu CentennialTrust Board, Waipu Croquet Club, Waipu Lawn Tennis Club, Waipu Lions Club, Whangarei Pipe Band Society, Waipu 2000 & Beyond Community Chest, Waipu Senior Netball Club,Youth Fit Academy.