Howick News

2003 AVGC Growth & Development AWARD

Auckland Volunteer Coastguard Service Inc

Marine Search and Rescue

RESCUE VESSEL GROUP

AWARD CITATION

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD TRAILER VESSEL SECTION 2003

HOWICK COASTGUARD - HOWICK RESCUE 1 & 2

The "Growth & Development Award" is normally awarded by the Rescue Vessel Committee of AVCG to a vessel which has recently become an operational rescue vessel and the citation would normally read "...has exhibited over the past year an increasing effectiveness as a Rescue Vessel crew".

Howick Coastguard has been a first line rescue resource of Auckland Coastguard for more than 15 years with a multiplicity of different vessels. They are known throughout the Auckland alliance of Coastguard units for the speed of their response to their vessel in callouts and for the ability of their crew members.

As with all such units time and attrition have their effects. During the past year, Howick CG has attended 62% more incidents than at the same time last year. They have been actively involved in recruiting additional crew, 10 new members, all of whom have to be given basic training in addition to the more advanced training required of rescue crew. They have also been involved in the process of development of a new rescue vessel, with all the planning, costing and fund raising that is required of such a project. All of this activity has called for significantly greater input to the unit to further its development.

This award therefore acknowledges the continuing outstanding standard achieved by this vessel and crew and recognises their commitment to the principle "In the Best Interests of the Victim".

Dated this 8th day of July 2003

J. Cowan - President AVCG

A. Wetherall - SAR Group Chairman AVCG

S. Fordyce - RV Group Captain AVCG