Coastguard Nelson celebrates 20 years with new vessel
This year, Coastguard Nelson celebrates 20 years of service to the region and thanks to generous donations from the community, the crew are celebrating with a new vessel.
Described as a game-changer for Coastguard Nelson, the new vessel greatly enhances the capability for first responders.
Spectators can look forward to a demonstration of new rescue boat Hohapata – Sealord Rescue at 1.20pm on Saturday at the Blessing of the Fleet.
A larger ship than the retiring rescue boat, Talley’s Marine
Rescue, and custom built for the local conditions, the new vessel comes with greater operating endurance to stay at sea for longer, along with an estimated top speed of 38 knots.
New rescue boat Hohapata – Sealord Rescue features an enclosed wheelhouse to accommodate crew and survivors out of the weather and will have space for a purpose-built stretcher bay.
It will also have state-of-the-art twin Hamilton jet units for versatility and safety.
As naming rights sponsor, Sealord sought input from Te
Tauihu iwi to assist with the naming of the vessel, which has been aptly named after a local hero. Hohapata Te Kahupuku of Nga¯ti Koata (1834-1913) was instrumental in saving the lives of the crew on board the ship Delaware when it got into serious trouble on the rocky Whakapuaka coast in 1863.
This $1.4 million purpose-built vessel is the result of many years of fundraising and a generous helping hand from sponsors. Or, as organiser Mike Smith puts it with a laugh, ‘‘Many, many people bought many, many sausages at various sizzles to fund this new vessel. This vessel very much belongs to the community it is here to serve.’’
HOHAPATA – SEALORD RESCUE: THE IMPRESSIVE SPECS
■ Type: Naiad 11.3m
Max speed: 40 knots Fuel capacity: 900 litres
■ Engines: Twin Yanmar 440hp
■ Cruise speed: 28 knots
■ Range at cruise speed: 200 miles ■ Jet units: Twin Hamilton HTX30 with AVX electronic ‘‘Mouseboat’’ controls. This allows volunteers to manoeuvre the boat with great precision when coming alongside another vessel or rescuing off the rocks.
■ Electronics: Furuno PC based system using Time Zero software, and FLIR infrared camera. Assists with searching in the darkness by providing thermal imaging. This is crucial for finding people in the water at night.
■ Dedicated Triage Bay: Enabling volunteers to administer first aid in a safe contained environment. ■ Salvage Pump: Removes water from sinking vessels.
■ Observation Platforms: Allowing crew better visibility when searching.
■ Volunteer crew: Up to 8 crew enabling a fully crewed vessel while also having trainees on board.
TALLEY’S MARINE RESCUE SAYS GOODBYE
It’s a bittersweet moment for the crew, as they also decommission former coastguard vessel Talley’s Marine Rescue after 10 years of service. From 2011 to 2021, the nowretiring Talley’s Marine Rescue and its hardworking crew:
■ Spent more than 2,200 hour on the water to save lives, assist people and bring them home
■ Received more than 400 calls to assist
■ Brought home more than 380 people
■ Rescued 40 people
■ Saved the lives of 12 people, who, without intervention, would have drowned/died
■ Dealt with three fatalities.
The vessel was first launched In Whakatane in in 2004. It was moved to Nelson in November 2011, when it was renamed Talley’s Marine Rescue following sponsorship from the Talley’s fishing group.