These are exciting times for all of us at Coastguard Northern Region.  The adoption of the CNR Plan – our strategic plan for the next five years – sets some bold and challenging goals.  The Board have worked hard to bring the plan together, consulting thoroughly with our volunteers right around the Region, and developing a range of objectives that will stretch and shape the organisation in the coming years.  Perhaps the best way to summarise our goals is to share our revised Vision Statement with you.  It reads simply “Everybody Safe on the Water.  We will save lives through rescue, communication, education and example.” 

As we turn our attention toward achieving the goals laid out in the CNR Plan, you will see a great deal of activity and evolution within the organisation.  One major new initiative has already taken effect, with the implementation of ‘rolling shifts’ in our Operations Room at Mechanics Bay (the home of Coastguard Radio).  This new approach to manning the room ensures two highly trained personnel are on hand 24 hours a day to manage our rescue operations around the Region – a significant step up on the previous system - and brings us in line with best practice for comparable facilities around the globe.  This is only the start of course, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated as things progress!

Coastguard volunteers give so much to help those in need on the sea.  The annual Coastguard Awards give us the opportunity to recognise some of the amazing contributions made by volunteers around our Region.  For me personally, this opportunity to acknowledge excellence within our organisation is a real highlight of the year – particularly the chance to get out around the Region and share these successes with the recipients’ Units.

This year’s award recipients are (as always) truly remarkable examples of what makes Coastguard great:  our Regional Volunteer of the Year – Mr John Glaze from Coastguard Tutukaka – who has not only guided his unit through the immense task of procuring a new rescue vessel, but steered his team through the aftermath of the tragic accident aboard that vessel in March.  Or the crews of Trillian Rescue Alpha and Waiheke Rescue, recognised for their brave efforts during a challenging rescue on the Hauraki Gulf.  It is a real privilege to recognise these efforts, and those of the other award recipients for 2009. These are just examples of the many people throughout our organisation that demonstrate the skill, commitment and dedication of being a volunteer. The full list of our award recipients are available on our website.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support and commitment to Coastguard.  We have some exciting but testing challenges ahead of us, and it means the world to our volunteers to know you’re behind them, supporting them in their lifesaving work.  We couldn’t do it without you.

Safe Boating

Joe Davis
President
Coastguard Northern Region Inc