Coastguard volunteers attend medivac in Hauraki Gulf

At 1146 hours today, Coastguard Northern Region’s Operations Centre was alerted via VHF Channel 80 of a man suffering from burns to his body while on board his vessel 400 metres west of Browns Island.

Coastguard Howick’s rescue vessel, Howick Rescue 1, was tasked to the incident arriving on scene within 15 minutes of the call for help. The patient was suffering from burns to the stomach and chest as a result of being sprayed with boiling water.

On arrival to the distressed, Coastguard volunteers assessed the patient and transported him back to Howick Beach to an awaiting ambulance who were briefed by volunteers and then transported the patient to hospital.

Coastguard takes this opportunity to remind people of the importance of carrying two forms of waterproof communication on board and familiarising themselves with Coastguard’s marine VHF channels before heading out on the water.

Tony Winyard, Duty Officer for Coastguard Northern Region, says “the correct use of marine communications was the reason for Coastguard’s quick response to this incident.”

For more information on Coastguard or our VHF marine radio operator courses, visit www.coastguard.org.nz.

About Coastguard Northern Region

Coastguard is the charity that provides New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue service. The organisation operates from a network of four regions and 71 affiliated units that are located around the coastline and major lakes of New Zealand.

Coastguard Northern Region operates the area from Thames across to the Mokau River and everywhere north. They are based at the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre (AMRC) in Mechanics Bay. Each year the operations room at the AMRC receives over 100,000 VHF marine radio calls.

However, Coastguard Northern Region does more than rescues at sea. Generations of dedicated people have established an organisation that provides a wealth of services to every person using our harbours and beaches.

• We provide a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year service.
• Install and maintain VHF radio repeaters throughout the Northern Region to enable mariners to communicate with each other over long distances.
• Provide a 24 hour continuous weather forecast on marine radio VHF channels 20, 21, 22 and 23.
• Accept trip reports from any vessel able to make radio contact.
• Provide a range of boating education courses to ensure that boaties have a sound knowledge of their boats and the rules of the road at sea.

Coastguard’s Northern Region Maritime School gives boaties the skills they need for a safe and enjoyable time on the water. They have a range of theory-based and practical (RYA) courses available. These are aimed at encouraging people to get to know the boating rules and regulation whilst gaining the skills and experience to keep safe.

ENDS

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