Google search secures goggles
An online push for vital rescue equipment had fallen short. Fortunately, an Aussie knight in shining armour was just a Google search away.
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter has secured two sets of white phosphorus night vision goggles to enable crews to operate more effectively in darkness.
The equipment has been donated by Harris Defence Australia, part of the global Harris Corporation and a major supplier of tactical communications gear to the Australian and New Zealand defence forces.
The rescue helicopter’s existing night vision goggles had lasted for almost a decade. However, a costly tube malfunction on one set and the need to futureproof prompted the need to upgrade the supply.
A fundraising campaign was launched in May in conjunction with Givealittle, Stuff and Neighbourly, with Summit Real Estate kicking off proceedings with a $2500 donation.
Another 32 generous donors subsequently raised $9561 – still leaving the service well short of its $36,000 target to purchase the two sets.
Around the same time, Harris’s director of business development, Sandy Taylor, happened to stumble across the fundraising campaign during a random internet search from his Canberra office.
Following phone calls to Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter confirming the goggle specifications, as well as to his United States-based superiors, two sets were approved for delivery to New Zealand. They were hand delivered on Monday – just a day before the fundraising campaign was scheduled to close.
‘‘I couldn’t get leave approved that quick . . . but it was a nobrainer for us,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘We appreciate that these kinds of things – especially in places like Nelson-Marlborough – are run on sausage sizzles or whatever donations they can get, so we’re really excited to be a part of this."
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust general manager Paula Muddle said Taylor’s call and Harris’s subsequent donation had come as a surprise, but it was ‘‘fantastic’’ to have an international supplier supporting a small regional service.
Pilot Barry McAuliffe said some initial testing had demonstrated the goggles’ capabilities, and he was looking forward to seeing the benefits of the updated technology from the cockpit.
‘‘Just from standing in a dark room, the definition is really good, and the contrast is so much better with the white on black, rather than everything having that green tinge.
‘‘The true test is going for a flight, and I’m really interested to see how they perform.
‘‘On a good night, goggles are great, but on a night where there’s some poor weather, the picture is not always fantastic,’’ he said.
‘‘So we’re hoping these will give us that extra advantage.’’
The funds already raised will now be used for night vision goggle training and six-monthly maintenance checks. Money raised at a charity golf tournament was used to purchase another set of goggles that are still awaiting delivery.