|
“Facta non Verba” - Deeds not words
Coastguard Papakura is a not for profit organisation that has monthly outgoing expenses. We rely upon the generosity from our supporters, friends and sponsors. Without this local support Coastguard Papakura would fail to function and cease to exist.
The Increasing expectation for our volunteers to be available 24hours a day and 7 days a week is now REAL. Coastguard are the unpaid professionals who volunteer numerous hours training and assisting others in distress on the high seas. To be a Coastguard volunteer, you are a unique individual and a very caring person.
Our team of volunteers give up their evenings and weekends to “Save lives at sea”, we do it to ensure our local community has a world class search and Rescue team available when necessary.
We all need to take care around our shore lines, we need to educate and campaign safety at all times. Like most activities today an element of risk is involved. Education and awareness is the formula to prevent accidents from re occurring in the future.
It is frightening to see the risks some will take for a $2 scallop? Food is more plentiful in extremely dangerous areas!
Coastguard resources could be the difference between life and death on our water ways? A good share of Papakura Coastguard incidents are to the Weymouth area assisting stricken sea goers.
We work as part of a Regional group, Coastguard Norhern Regions - Tasman operations group. We attend incidents or back each other up, on or beyond the notorious Manukau bar. Shifting sand bars, heavy swell and breakers caused by prevailing westerly weather makes navigation and making way as fast and safely as possible extremely hazardous. West coast conditions are very punishing and even our toughest crew members have been physically and emotionally beaten on many occasions from the unforgiving elements and fatigue while searching for missing boats and sadly on occasion missing persons too. Due to the Dangerous tidal flows, mud banks and narrow channels many community members have become victim to the mighty Manukau Harbours 145 sq km of exposed sea bed that attracts harvesters at spring low tide and then 340 sq km of surface water quickly reclaims the harbour ensuring very high chance of being caught short of safety if you are not aware or familiar with the Manukau harbour.
Search and recovery is a large part of our role, unfortunately accidents to the unaware and or unfamiliar shoreline harvesters.
Papakura Coastguard, Manukau Coastguard, Waiuku Coastguard are working together to ensure adequate awareness is being delivered to local community.
We seek sponsors and business support to assist with ongoing day to day costs our unit incurs. Manukau is the third most populous city in New Zealand.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss any Coastguard Papakura matters.
Cedric Charlton Coastguard Papakura – President
(09) 2995668 or 0274661140
cedriccharlton@papakuracoastguard.co.nz
|
