Professional Skipper Magazine from VIP Publications

Launching and retrieving can still be a bit wet for the trailer GPS, two VHF radios and all crew had completed advanced First Aid certificates by the time it was launched in January 1999. In 2002 the unit added a 4.8m Naiad Jet boat to the fleet, called "Search Two". This shallow draught vessel allowed access to many more areas of the inner harbor and is still used for work such as transporting stretcher patients from beaches, inner harbor searches and to enter areas which bigger vessels cannot reach. It has shown itself to be a worthwhile vessel when working in the rough water on the Bowentown Bar where it can be manoeuvred quickly and easily between waves, enabling people and capsized kayaks to be retrieved with more ease. Search Two is still an integral part of the Coastguard Unit today, having had two major refurbishments since it was launched in 2003. By July 2010, it was decided that a new rescue boat would be required to future-proof the rescue services of the unit for the next decade. A committee was formed to investigate a replacement for Search One and a number of Coastguard units were visited in an effort to establish the best vessel choice. Finally, the committee decided that a Naiad 9.5m RHIB would fit the bill. The committee considered factors such as the comfort and safety of the crew, the need for a vessel that was able to respond quickly and could carrying all the first aid, safety and fire fighting equipment. Jack up's vertical motor lifts for shallow water 56 Professional Skipper July/August 2013 Naiad was willing to work with the unit to incorporate their special needs. Constructed in marine alloy by Alloy Cats in Mount Maunganui, the build took nine months under the careful guidance of Colin Bertelsen and his son Kim. Along with Waihi Beach Coastguard representatives Peter Brown and Graeme Fenn as their contract advisors, the father and son team set about constructing the new vessel in April 2012. The hull plates were increased to 6mm and a 6mm keelstrip was added. As the build went on, regular meetings were scheduled to ensure that both parties were working together and as any grey areas arose, they could be sorted. The end result was that at sea trial stage, very little needed change or adjustment – a turn key handover, one might say. An important requirement of the unit was that the vessel be able to operate in shallow water while maintaining steerage and propulsion. Committee investigations had found "jack plates" being used in America for these conditions. These allow the motors to be lifted vertically up to 150mm, meaning that shallow water work is possible with much better control of the vessel. The addition of these jack plates is the first the Waihi Coastguard had seen and a first for any New Zealand Coastguard vessel of which we are aware. Senior master and project coordinator Graeme Fenn says that the jack plates are working extremely well and are proving to be a valuable asset. Tilting the motors when working in shallow water was always a compromise to manoeuvrability and safety. However, when raised on the jacks the vessel can maintain good steerage and speed without effecting trim or digging at the stern. The Waihi Beach Coastguard had purchased two new 250 horsepower outboard motors for the new vessel but as time went by Yamaha New Zealand required these motors for an urgent sale elsewhere. Yamaha agreed to supply the latest 2013 technology motors if the Waihi Coastguard would allow the sale of their motors – a deal too good to refuse. Local dealer Paeroa Marine was contracted for the engine installation, commissioning of the outboard motors and sea trials as well as the ongoing service. The new boat was painted in Coastguard colours using two pot Altex marine coatings on the exterior and with Altex irondust www.skipper.co.nz

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