Since Bluff Coastguard’s formation in the late 1990’s, the unit has developed and progressed into a well equipped yet well resourced emergency operation.

The Place

This unit operates in a very diverse part of New Zealand’s ocean. Foveaux Strait’s unforgiving reputation is enough to discourage the experienced on the sea but more importantly it’s the courage and experience among the community that pay huge commitment when disaster strikes. There is no where like this place, where weather changes can be very drastic and Mother Nature’s leg-stretching capabilities in this area have left record wind speeds and sea swells in double digits.

The Resources

The Bluff unit continues to improve with regular crew member training where all members are trained to a set standard and are regularly checked and supervised by appointed training co-ordinators. The unit has recently completed a floating berth for the rescue vessel that is user friendly with ease of access with tight security. Various improvements on the rescue vessel to suit the unit and areas needs have been carried out to enable ease of use of the vessel and more comfortable travelling for volunteers and passengers. The recent addition of the helicopter division has opened more doors by way of air support with scoop net. The fast but yet efficient transport for the unit has proven well in a response situation and harsh weather conditions always put these resources to the test as well as the volunteers in this area. All of this creates a reliable but well managed unit with a wide range of equipment catering for many types of sea emergency situations.

The People

The president along with the committee has overseen the various stages in the development in the unit. The unit’s members consist of a wide range of expertise; these consist from commercially active seamen to retired fishermen with a wealth of experience. All in all the crew keep a well managed understanding between each other and work very well as a team situation in the emergency environment.

The Dedication

The dedicated volunteers spend every Monday night educating and practicing on board the rescue vessel and like all other units, module theory training sessions are carried out regularly. Annual helicopter training is carried out with the use of the scoop net and general helicopter training. Working B’s are a regular occurrence on Saturdays to complete various tasks and jobs planned by the project manager. Currently the unit is planning its move from its current fragmented locations,

at the local police station & fire station rooms to the local rowing club rooms at the water front which in turn will enable direct viewing of the boat ramps and DRV but enable easy access for volunteers and allows recreational boaties able to approach and interact with the Coastguard unit. This move will also centralise the unit under one roof and like other units, enables the unit to fly the flag and display over the public and marine arena.

The Call-Outs

Emergency response is managed and monitored precisely by local radio operators monitoring various marine VHF frequencies and SSB frequencies. VHF is the main form of communication for the unit in a response situation, however occasionally SSB may be required if VHF coverage is poor and/or lack of VHF repeaters. Once radio operators are alerted, police coms are contacted and the unit’s volunteer pagers are activated. Upon response, many of the volunteers carry handheld VHF’s and can quickly be informed of the situation if not already known. Once the unit has moved to its new location, it is in no-doubt that the volunteers will represent themselves over the airwaves and become available for mariners to speak directly.

The Boat

The NZAS Rescue is a 12metre Rayglass Protector with 2x 225HP Yamaha motors giving it a maximum speed of 40knots (on a flat day). This is a fully surveyed vessel with accommodation for up to 6 crew plus 6 passengers. This vessel is equipped with dual GPS & Radar, 2 VHF’ radios, GPS tracking systems, night vision, night spot lights, anchors, tow lines, 1^st aid and victim equipment, fire-extinguishers, heaters, demisters.

General

Our unit survives on local support and true dedication from its members. Although still in its infancy, it has a long standing Search & Rescue operational history. The Bluff unit is growing with members, both volunteers & supporters drawn from Bluff and surrounding districts. Operating from a hard working community and port, the unit continues to promote & involve local mariners to the unit for their input as much as possible. Education on the area such as Foveaux Strait is well promulgated and local recreational boaties are well aware of the dangers that lie at sea. Call-outs are not frequent but as the recreational boatie population grows fast, this could change rapidly and the Bluff unit is prepared to the best of their ability.