Coastguard Auckland

Community Organisation

Coastguard Auckland
Auckland Marine Rescue Centre 3 Solent StreetMechanics BayAUCKLAND 1010
1792 days ago

Auckland Coastguard honoured at NZ Search & Rescue Awards

Steve Wilson from Coastguard Auckland

Volunteers with Auckland Coastguard have been recognised at this year’s New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards held at Parliament this week.

Congratulations to Jo Norgrove who received a Certificate of Achievement for her services to Coastguard and Search and Rescue.

Auckland Coastguard was … View more
Volunteers with Auckland Coastguard have been recognised at this year’s New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards held at Parliament this week.

Congratulations to Jo Norgrove who received a Certificate of Achievement for her services to Coastguard and Search and Rescue.

Auckland Coastguard was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Operational Activity for their involvement in the rescue of a badly injured yachtsman near Waiheke Island in March last year.

Coastguard Auckland volunteers Chris Griggs and Lynne Jacobsen received the award on behalf of the rest of the unit at the awards ceremony held in Wellington.

Griggs says it was an honour to accept the award on behalf of the unit.

“This rescue was a real team effort,” says Griggs. “We had no idea of the severity of the man’s injuries at first but once on scene we worked hard to bring the situation under control and provide as much comfort and pain relief as possible.”

On the night of the rescue, the Coastguard Auckland unit responded to the yachtsman ’s distress call who was badly burned after being engulfed in flames on board his vessel. Coastguard Auckland unit vessels, ASB Rescue and Li on Foundation Rescue, were tasked to locate and assist the casualty and then to transfer the yachtsman to the nearest land point where an ambulance and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were waiting.

Griggs boarded the yacht to find the man sitting in the shower under the running water in an attempt to ease the discomfort from his burns. “The fire had caused significant burns to his arms, h ands and lower body. He had done the right thing by sitting under the cold water but in doing so had started to go hypothermic and was in immense pain,” says Griggs.

Once on board Lion Foundation Rescue, the man was carefully transferred to emergency services waiting onshore.

The judges said the Coastguard volunteers used their skills in a “highly stressful situation” where time was of the essence. By preventing further injury to the victim , the volunteers improved his chances of survival and recovery.

Auckland Coastguard relies on donations and sponsorship to deliver on our mission of "Saving lives at sea." If you can support us in any way, please get in touch with Owen Harrison on 09 303 9366 or owen@auckland-coastguard.org.nz


Pictured from L to R: Jo Norgrove, Chris Griggs and Lynne Jacobsen

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2368 days ago

PROFILE: Kevin Langley (a.k.a Stumpy) – Auckland Coastguard Volunteer

Steve Wilson from Coastguard Auckland

"I've been a Coastguard volunteer for a long time now. I was born and bred in the water. I don’t mind being out in the really rough stuff because of the skill sets that we’re trained in and the processes we have keep us safe."

"There’s been anxious moments in an … View more
"I've been a Coastguard volunteer for a long time now. I was born and bred in the water. I don’t mind being out in the really rough stuff because of the skill sets that we’re trained in and the processes we have keep us safe."

"There’s been anxious moments in an incident because the wind or the tide takes over the boat for a minute. The only time I’ve really been worried is for the people that we’re towing back from quiet a way out in pretty big seas. When you see a whole yacht disappearing under a wave that you’ve gone over, you feel for them."

“I’ve been out there for three days and pulled fifty people back to safety and you sort of take that for granted because it’s just what you do but then you look back, it’s hugely rewarding."

"Why I keep doing this after so many years… For me I wanted to give back to boating. it’s a passion I’ve had since the day I started and I’ve never looked back. The comradery is great we give each other a hard time and tease each other. I’m good at doing that to other people, probably not so good getting it back sometimes (laughs)."

"I always say to people that you should tell someone where you’re planning to go. Not a lot of people have a VHF but they do have a cellphone to call *500 which is the direct line to the Coastguard Operations Center. If you’re in trouble, most people can still get cellphone within the Hauraki Gulf area."

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2548 days ago

Coastguard Auckland teams up with Unitec

Steve Wilson from Coastguard Auckland

We're excited to announce that we are currently collaborating with Unitec on a pilot project which provides for students studying event management to gain some real world experience whilst raising funds for Coastguard Auckland. If successful, the project will expand into a 3 year partnership … View moreWe're excited to announce that we are currently collaborating with Unitec on a pilot project which provides for students studying event management to gain some real world experience whilst raising funds for Coastguard Auckland. If successful, the project will expand into a 3 year partnership with students from all disciplines being able to participate. Stay tuned for more news soon...

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2665 days ago

Upgrade your old lifejackets!

Steve Wilson from Coastguard Auckland

The Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade is back! Trade in your old, worn or damaged lifejacket for a great discount on a brand new Hutchwilco lifejacket!
The van is travelling nationwide this year, check out the location schedule below

2702 days ago

Coastguard VHF Channels have changed!

Steve Wilson from Coastguard Auckland

The Coastguard-monitored VHF Channels for both the inner and outer Hauraki Gulf have now changed.

Outer Hauraki Gulf: now Channel 60 (formerly 82)
Inner Hauraki Gulf: now Channel 64 (formerly 80)
Channel 16 remains the same.

Please SHARE this info to make sure all boaties know to use the … View more
The Coastguard-monitored VHF Channels for both the inner and outer Hauraki Gulf have now changed.

Outer Hauraki Gulf: now Channel 60 (formerly 82)
Inner Hauraki Gulf: now Channel 64 (formerly 80)
Channel 16 remains the same.

Please SHARE this info to make sure all boaties know to use the new channels from now on - the old channels are no longer monitored.

Attached are the details for the whole of New Zealand.

20161017 VHF Radio Channel Channel Changes Map.pdf Download View

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