Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade
Rescue boats and jet skis operated by Waikato councils could serve the region’s waterways.
Cambridge Fire Station officer Richie Gerrand has been working on purchasing a couple of rescue jet skis for Cambridge for a while. Photo: Chris Gardner
Mike Pettit
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) chief executive Kerry Gregory suggested Waikato councils apply for a maritime transport operator certificate after his organisation banned firefighters from operating rescue boats and jet skis in the Waikato region.
The ban was implemented in May after Maritime New Zealand wrote to Fenz pointing out it was operating outside of the law.
Fenz did not have a national maritime transport operator certificate and maritime safety management system, although individual fire stations believed they were compliant.
Tim Macindoe
Waipā mayor Mike Pettit, who joined Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe and Waikato mayor Aksel Bech in writing to Fenz objecting to the ban, was concerned the region’s waterways were being left unsupported during the busy summer period.
He said he backed senior Cambridge Fire Station officer Richie Gerrand who has been working for some time on purchasing a couple of rescue jet skis for Cambridge.
“We have no equipment to use in a river rescue,” Gerrand said.
“If I fell in that river I would need a rescue now, not recovery in 45 minutes.”
Aksel Bech
It takes 45 minutes for police to send a boat from Hamilton to Cambridge.
“We are all about saving lives. I have got backing in Cambridge to do it.”
Gerrand also has the backing of Waipā deputy mayor Jo Davies-Colley.
Bech is frustrated that his district has rescue vessels that firefighters are unable to use, and wants Fenz to reinstate the service while councils discuss the proposal that they take on responsibility.
He knew of one rescue that took much longer than needed as a helicopter was called because firefighters were not allowed to launch their boat.
Jo Davies-Colley – 2025
Bech said a council operated rescue service was out of the scope of local government, but he would keep looking for a solution.
Maritime NZ has provided advice to brigades about entering their watercraft into a safety management system.
Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade’s water tanker, seen heading out recently.
