Local Man Recognised For 25 Years of Service to Coastguard

29 June 2012

Local Man Recognised For 25 Years of Service to Coastguard

Local Glenfield man, Gordon Cattermole, received a long service award in recognition of his 25 years of service to Coastguard New Zealand on Tuesday night.

A volunteer at Coastguard Auckland, Gordon has dedicated 25 years to the organisation and was presented with a gold chevron lapel badge by Coastguard Northern Region President, Roly Linstrom at the Coastguard Auckland AGM.

At the AGM, Gordon was also made a Life Member of Coastguard Auckland and was awarded the esteemed Markylla Trophy for Sustained Effort.

Colin Small, President of Coastguard New Zealand, says, “Coastguard New Zealand is extremely grateful to all those who donate their time and Gordon is an outstanding example of someone who has a real and dedicated passion to the organisation.

“Gordon has been the backbone of Coastguard Auckland’s shore services, ensuring everything runs smoothly even in the most serious SAR scenarios.

“The entire community benefits from the work of our volunteers and we’re thrilled to be able to extend our recognition to those individuals like Gordon, with these awards.”

The awards form part of Coastguard’s ‘People First Strategy’, an ongoing commitment by the organisation to recognise the many New Zealanders who donate their time and energy to keeping people safe on the water.

“Our community promise is to save lives at sea and this can only be achieved with the help of our Coastguard volunteers and the local community support they receive. We look forward to presenting many more long service awards in the years to come,” says Mr Small.

Coastguard is a maritime rescue service made up of 2,224 trained volunteers who risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of the wider community at sea.

About Coastguard New Zealand:
Coastguard is the charity that provides New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue service. The organisation operates from a network of four regions and 71 affiliated units, located around the coastline and major lakes of New Zealand. Coastguard New Zealand is a volunteer organisation with a charitable status. It has more than 18,000 supporter members and 2,224 active Professional Volunteers who provide around 350,000 hours of their time each year to educate, protect and help save lives at sea. Coastguard performs over 3,000 rescues each year assisting almost 7,000 New Zealanders. There are currently 72 dedicated rescue vessels in Coastguard New Zealand’s fleet, 10 air patrol units and one dedicated communications unit. All crew members on board Coastguard vessels and air patrol craft are trained search and rescue personnel working to enhance the safety of all New Zealanders when they participate in boating and water activities.

ENDS

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