The Waikato River
Fire and Emergency New Zealand wants to find a solution as to who could own the capability for Waikato River rescues after volunteer firefighters were banned from operating rescue boats and jet skis.
The ban was implemented in May after Maritime New Zealand said the Huntly and Ngāruawāhia fire stations were operating maritime rescue craft outside of maritime rules.
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
In Cambridge Fire Station officer Richie Gerrand had been working for some time on purchasing a couple of rescue jet skis for Cambridge because the brigade had no equipment to use in a river rescue”.
Mike Pettit
Waipā mayor Mike Pettit and his Hamilton and Waikato colleagues Tim Macindoe and Aksel Bech asked the service for a rethink.
“By Fenz standing down these two well equipped, trained and certified brigades with proven incident-free track records, Fenz is in our view putting lives at risk,” they said in a letter sent in December.
Fenz chief executive Kerry Gregory has suggested Waikato councils apply for a maritime transport operator certificate.
Fenz deputy chief executive Megan Stiffler said three volunteer brigades, included Okere Falls in the Bay of Plenty, had independently acquired motorised watercraft.
Megan Stiffler
“I understand and acknowledge their wish to deploy their own watercraft to serve their communities in an emergency,” Stiffler said.
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand wants everyone to be safe on the Waikato River’s waterways, but we cannot support our brigades operating their motorised watercraft because we don’t as an organisation have the capacity or capability to support motorised watercraft being deployed safely,” she said.
“Such incidents need to be responded to by the most appropriate agency.
“Police, Surf Lifesaving NZ, and Maritime NZ are the lead agencies and organisations for operation and oversight of this activity.
“We are continuing to work with the relevant organisations including local councils to find a solution as to who could own the capability for Waikato River rescues and ensure it is delivered safely, legally and effectively in an emergency,” Stiffler said.
Matt Cairns
The News sought comment from Waikato police, asking whether police had been involved in discussions about councils potentially taking on maritime rescue responsibilities and whether they supported councils obtaining Maritime Transport Operator Certificates.
The News sought comment from police – asking how many rescue boats police they in the Waikato region and whether they could meet demand during the peak summer period. We also wanted to know how many water related incidents police had responded to since Fenz implemented its ban.
Waikato operations and support district manager Neil Faulkner responded that if police are the lead in a rescue situation, “we will make use of any and all resources available to us, depending on the location of the incident and what it involves – and deploy whatever assets are required”.
“This can include Coastguard, the Police Maritime Unit, Fire and Emergency NZ, WRC, SLSNZ, rescue helicopters, or other craft or resources from a range of agencies or individuals.
He said the Waikato Regional Council’s Harbour Master already has capability to assist in incidents where required.”
Surf Lifesaving NZ search and rescue manager Matt Cairns said his organisation worked closely with police, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, and other partners as part of the national search and rescue system.
“We’re open to constructive conversations with our partners about how we might support community needs, but any involvement must be carefully considered to ensure it can be delivered safely and sustainably,” he said.
“We wouldn’t want to comment on specific locations until we’ve had the right conversations with our partners and properly worked through the facts, and our priority remains maintaining the services we currently provide to communities both between and beyond the flags.”
An example of the unpredictable strength of the Waikato River at the Dominion Ave boat ramp. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
