United in their love of the sea, topped with the desire to lend a hand for their community, the Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard squad is a bunch of like-minded people doing a fantastic job.

Each day, one of 14 volunteer radio operators is in the Bowentown watchtower listening on VHF channel 16 or 85 ready to respond to any emergency on the water.

Also ready are the 25 volunteer boat crew members capable of putting out to sea at any time of the day or night to rescue boaties in distress.

The Coastguard’s rescue craft – Gallagher Rescue and AVOCO Rescue – are within metres of the sea to make responding as speedy as process as possible.

It takes dedication, hours of training and years of skill for a volunteer rescue operation to reach such a high level of expertise. This is the depth of the Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard.

Last year they responded to 31 calls for assistance and returned 73 people safely back to land.

Waihi Beach Coastguard is totally self-funded – receiving no Government funding – but backed through the generosity of corporates Gallagher and AVOCO which sponsor the two rescue vessels at Waihi Beach in recognition of Coastguard’s value to the community.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council contributed $20,000 from its Community Matching Fund for the extension of Coastguard’s basement garage to house the new vessel AVOCO Rescue.

Operations Manager Jim Pooley says this initiative by Council was a huge help and the Coastguard has forged a good relationship with elected members.

Coastguard’s main operational funding is from its membership of 500 but there’s plenty of room for more boaties to join their local unit and show them support.

As they say – “you never know when you may need the Coastguard’s help’’.

If you’re a member help is free. If you’re not you get a bill – but they’ll always come and get you out of trouble no matter what.

Jim puts it well.

“Imagine a fire engine, police car and ambulance land-locked and sitting on a wharf. Look out to sea and there’s Coastguard – doing the combined work of all three emergency services plus the search and rescue skills required on water.

“We are the boatie’s best friend on the water.’’

Coastguard’s service extends beyond sea rescues. The volunteers hold regular educational days on how to safely cross the Bowentown bar; they help out at boat ramps during fishing contests; they teach water safety to school groups; teach Katikati College senior students Dayskipper skills and they operate as safety-support vessels during water sports events.

The squad would love more volunteer radio operators.

An open day for the public is planned at the Coastguard’s headquarters in Bowentown on Sunday 8 July at 11am to which locals are invited to get an idea of what’s involved in being a Coastguard radio volunteer.