Coastguard Northern Region is an Incorporated Society of over 10,000 members of whom approximately 800 are also active members within the Search and Rescue units of the organisation.

The organisation has a Mission Statement of “saving lives at sea”. During the calendar year of 2005 Coastguard units in the Northern Region attended approximately 2000 incidents, ranging from very simple problems such as flat batteries, to full maritime distress situations such as sinkings or medical emergencies. Fortunately the latter only comprises a very small part of our work.

We have an area of responsibility that covers the both the 4th and 6th largest harbours in the world (being Manukau and Kaipara respectively), and which extends from Channel Island (just north of Cape Colville) in the east, Kawhia and Raglan Harbours in the west, and the entire coastline of the northern area of New Zealand.  To ensure a point of contact for boaties in this area we maintain a 24/7 radio watch from our Operations Room in the Marine Rescue Centre at Mechanics Bay, Auckland.

The Search and Rescue Groups comprise of three sections, Air Patrol, Rescue Vessels and Communications. Each section relies solely on volunteers to allow it to function.

Air Patrol
Coastguard Northern Region owns a Cessna 182, which is the resource used by the Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol. This unit comprises Commercially rated Pilots, Tactical Coordinators (Tacco's)and Observers with a normal crew comprising of one pilot, one tacco and two observers. The plane is fully crewed on Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays and is available outside of those hours by pager callout. All volunteers, including the pilots, start off as observers and are trained in all aspects of Marine Search and Rescue.

Rescue Vessels
Coastguard units in the Northern Region operate a range of different  Rescue Vessels.  These vessels are manned by teams of volunteers and are always available as first call if required.

Communications
The whole operation of the SAR Group's resources in the Hauraki Gulf, Manukau, Kaipara, Raglan, Kawhia, Tutukaka and Whangaruru Harbours and the Bay of Islands is managed and controlled by the Operations Room at Mechanics Bay. The Operations Room handles 100,000 radio calls per year from boaties within the region and is manned 24hrs a day 7 days per week. During the working week the Ops Room is manned by paid staff. At all other times including public holidays it is manned by volunteers on a rostered basis, normally one weekend day every 4 weeks.

The skills needed to work in the communications section are: a marine VHF operators license, basic computer skills, a knowledge of the Hauraki Gulf and other working areas, boating knowledge, clear spoken English and communication skills.

Becoming a Volunteer
We expect a long term commitment from our volunteers, plus attendance at training courses and monthly SAR Group meetings. All volunteers must be (or become) financial members of their unit.

Volunteer intakes are scheduled three to four times per year and section allocations made with candidate preferences taken into account. Entry level qualifications and ongoing training requirements are available on request.

If you wish to accept the challenge of being a member of the SAR group please contact Mike Lawrence on 09 303 9345 or email mikel@coastguard.org.nz