Regional Volunteer Awards 2009

Three of Coastguard Southern Regions volunteers were honoured on Sunday 30th August with Volunteer Awards. Paul Lawson, John MacPhail and Nick Sears have all made a significant contribution towards saving lives at sea.

Paul Lawson received the Regional Volunteer of the Year 2009 Award. Paul has been a member of Coastguard Sumner Lifeboat for eleven years holding the position of Coxswain, in addition he has been the Chairman of the Southern Region since 2005. Paul has overseen the modernising of the Sumner Lifeboat vessels and upgrade of their buildings. He has been the major driving force behind the development and implementation of the Sumner Lifeboat strategic plan.

John MacPhail recieved the Regional Coastguard Air Patrol Volunteer of the Year 2009 Award. John has been a Coastguard member since 199 and was the driving force behind the setting up of the Coastguard Air Patrol Kaikoura. During his years of service he has undertaken many roles including President of CAP Kaikoura and Vice President and Secretary of Coastguard Kaikoura.

Coastguard Southern Region Performance of the Year 2009 was awarded to the Coastguard Kaikoura Unit which over the past 7 years have fundraised to achieve the purchase of a new Coastguard Rescue Vessel and renovated their building to include a new training facility, all of which required the investment of over $1million. The crew members of Coastguard Kaikoura have given their time and energy both in fundraising and building activities to achieve this as well as being available for training and search and rescue operations.

Nick Sears of Coastguard Canterbury was awarded the Regional Rescue Vessel Volunteer of the Year 2009 Award. Nick has been a member of Coastguard Canterbury for 7 years and during that time has worked his way through the Coastguard training programme to achieve his Master Certificate of Compentency. He is a member of his units Board, is Asset Manager and a Team Leader. In October last year Nick took part in a major search and rescue operation. During that operation in particularly rough conditins at night he entered the water to recover the body of one of the missing men. His professional manner and bravery meant that a family had their loved one returned. Nick went on to support other crew members to deal with this particularly difficult situation.

These award winners will represent the Southern Region at the Coastguard National Awards in September 2009.