Coastguard stands down Auckland and Northland air patrols after safety rule changes
Volunteer air patrols in Auckland and Northland have been stood down from taskings and flight training. A patrol leader fears a gap in search-and-rescue support, but its extent has not been established.
Coastguard has stood down its volunteer air patrols in Auckland and Northland, New Zealand, from taskings and flight training, RNZ reported on 13 October. Coastguard told RNZ it took legal advice before acting on search-and-rescue standards introduced by Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre last year.
What the patrol stand-down means for rescues
Coastguard Auckland Air Patrol president Andrew Lamb told RNZ he was concerned about how search-and-rescue support would be provided while the teams were stood down. The effect on response times and rescue coverage has not been independently established.
Coastguard lists Auckland and Northland as its two air patrol units. Maritime New Zealand says the Rescue Coordination Centre coordinates major maritime, aviation and land-based search-and-rescue operations in its region.
Sources and context
- 'Knee jerk response' - Coastguard air volunteers grounded over safety rule changesRNZ
- Coastguard | We're for boaties, whatever your wakaCoastguard New Zealand
- Legislation we administerMaritime New Zealand
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