Coastguard relaunched
DIANA WORTHY
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FINE weather kept marine emergencies at bay on Sunday as coastguard crews from throughout the region met on Waiheke for the launch of the island's new boat.
The new $588,000 vessel Waiheke Rescue was delivered two months ago after a six-month delay, with the weekend ceremony bringing four years' special fundraising to a close as the boat was named and christened.
Waiheke Rescue is a twin diesel jet Naiad, built by Blue Water Boats in Auckland and specially suited to conditions in the Hauraki Gulf.
Coastguard boats Maraetai Rescue 1, Howick Rescue 1, Alpha Trillion Rescue, ASB Rescue, Lion Foundation Rescue, NZCT North Shore Rescue, Hibiscus Rescue 1, and sister boat Kawau Rescue lined up alongside the wharves as their crews joined islanders in the celebrations.
Island reverend Ruth Freeman blessed the boat after speeches from Coastguard New Zealand president Ian Coard, Coastguard Northern Region's Dean Lawrence and Waiheke Volunteer Coastguard president Rebecca Armstrong.
Tribute was paid to fundraisers and other organisations that helped with donations as well as to those who helped with getting the boat built.
It was followed by the traditional naming ceremony, which saw more of the fizz on Ms Armstrong than the hull.
"I was sprayed with enough champagne to start a small party," she says.
And there was more fun to come as a Coastguard Auckland Air Patrol plane did a flyover, tipping its wings in the sunlight to cheers from the crowd.
Onlookers were all invited to step aboard to admire the boat's technology and 40-knot capabilities.
A free fish and chip lunch was provided on the wharf to round off the occasion.
Ms Armstrong says Waiheke Coastguard volunteers are keen to resume their duties after months of being without a vessel and having to rely on cover from other units.
"We're all looking forward to getting out there, getting wet, and getting involved again in the best unpaid job in the world," she says.
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