2369 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 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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Staying home over the break?

Toka Tū Ake EQC

The long weekend is the perfect time to make your place safer for an earthquake with these steps:

• Find out where you can turn off your water and gas mains
• Check your chimney for any signs of wear and tear, or damage
• Check your home's foundations are secured
• Move heavy items that are up high to safer, lower down locations.
• Secure tall and heavy furniture and appliances

These simple actions can keep your whānau safer in case of a big shake, so tick them off and make the most of your break.
Find out more

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