Safety gear I carry

Great points Chris, and shame such a great day was ruined. But this can happen to any of us at any time. The Coastgurad really have trouble getting support and only have around 10,000 members nationally. Do the math...there are a hell of alot more boats, launches, yachts, PWCs and kayaks on the water than 10,000.

Great cause worthy of support.

Last Time I was aware around 7000 of those members are in Auckland so if you break it down even further it's not that great considering the number of vessels we have in the Auckland region alone.

To give you all an idea there are 8 units that look after the Hauraki Gulf to Barrier each of those units usually have one vessel Auckand Coastguard has three an 8.5 soon to be 9.5 a 14.5 and an 18mtr Vessel. Replacement value around the 350 to 450K for an 8.5 to 9.5mtr boat Each unit have to raise the money to purchase these boats they are helped by the regional body and also the national body but each unit still needs to fund raise they also have to cover the running and maintinance costs etc a 8.5m boat has 500+ litre fuel tank that can be easily used in one day durning summer not to mention the huge hours put in by Volenteers for training and crewing the boats.

So if you aren't a member of Coastguard go and join they will appeciate it and it's a very worth while for us as boaties.

Yes I'm involved with the Coastguard. I am a Commercially rated Skipper and also hold a Senior Masters ticket to Skipper Coastguard Vessels and I have 14 years SAR experiance and have been a Tutor with Coastguard boating education.