Summary
Breams Bay
There was a tragic crab fisherman fatality at Uretiti Beach today. Ruakaka Surf Life Saving Patrol and Waipu Cove Surf
Life Saving Club responded very quickly but the male fisherman had already been swept away. Ruakaka Inflatable Rescue
Boat (IRB) recovered the body.
Orewa Beach
Around 11am Orewa lifeguards closed the beach after confirming the sighting of a 2 metre shark. Orewa reopened their
flags at 3pm.
Lifeguards had a busy day attending a major and 10 minor first aids caused by cuts from shells on the beach some quite
deep and requiring stitches. Two men were also assisted to shore after being blown out to sea on a raft.
Mangawhai Heads
Lifeguards rescued a female who was swept out and assisted with two major first aids.
Browns Bay
Lifeguards were alerted to a person in distress clinging to a buoy in Browns Bay. The North Shore rescue jet ski was
tasked but the incident was resolved before they arrived on scene. In the evening Police Maritime advised that a 2-3m
shark was spotted in Browns Bay. Nearby patrols were alerts and Safeswim was updated with an exercise caution alert.
Whangarei Heads
In the morning lifeguards at were alerted to a patient experiencing chest pain at a nearby bach. They responded with a
defibrillator and provided support to the St John crew before returning to set up their flags.
Pakiri Beach
Around 12pm Pakiri lifeguards briefly had to close their flags due to the presence of Orca Whales in the waves. They
reopened at 12:30pm.
Long Bay
Lifeguards received a report of a missing person. A search was launched and the missing person was located.
Patrol Statistics (25/12/2019)
No. of people rescued1No. of people assisted6No. of major 1st aids4No. of minor 1st aids17No. of searches3No. of Preventative Actions 1,607No. of Public Involved6,038Peak headcount8,420Total hours worked686
Key:
Rescue: When lifeguards save someone from drowning.
PA: Preventative Actions e.g. lifeguards giving people safety instructions e.g. advising to swim between the
flags/advising to move away from a rip etc.
Assists: Early intervention by lifeguards to prevent member of public from getting into major difficulty.
Public Involved: Number of people lifeguards interacted with.
2019-2020 Beach Safety Messages
1. Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags
2. Ask a lifeguard for advice
3. Don't overestimate your ability
4. Keep young children within arm’s reach at all times
5. Never swim or surf alone
6. Watch out for rip currents, they can carry you away from shore
7. When fishing from rocks, always wear a lifejacket
8. If in doubt, stay out!
9. If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for Police
10. Be sun smart – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.