Media Release
07 June 2012

Gallagher shows its support for Coastguard Raglan with new partnership

A new partnership between Coastguard Raglan and well known Waikato business Gallagher Group Limited, is set to benefit boaties in the region.

Under the new partnership, the animal management systems company will provide funding over three years and will hold the naming rights to the Unit’s primary rescue vessel, ‘Gallagher Rescue’.

Coastguard Raglan’s President, Wally Hawken, says the Unit is privileged to have Gallagher Group Limited’s support.

“Our volunteers work hard to keep boaties safe on our local waterways, particularly when it comes to dangerous areas on the West Coast like the infamous Raglan Bar.

“To know that our community is behind us is such a great feeling and we are extremely thankful to Gallagher Group Limited for its generosity and goodwill. This additional support will be instrumental in helping our volunteers continue their life saving work.”

Margaret Comer, Corporate Services Executive for Gallagher Group Limited, says they didn’t hesitate at the opportunity to get behind Coastguard Raglan.

“The Unit’s volunteers do such an outstanding job keeping boaties around our coast safe so it is an honour for us to be able to help them save lives at sea.”

Coastguard Operations Manager Ray Burge, works closely with the Raglan Unit and agrees the new partnership is a credit to the Unit’s work in the community.

“Coastguard Raglan consistently dedicates time to public boating education and raising awareness around bar safety in the community. Gallagher’s partnership is recognition of the value placed on the work the volunteers do in Raglan and we look forward to seeing the Unit continue to develop with Gallagher’s support.”

In the past year volunteers from Coastguard’s Raglan Unit have responded to over 40 calls for assistance, bought 65 people home to safety and dedicated over 6,000 hours of their time to fulfill Coastguard’s community promise of saving lives at sea.

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Alaina McGregor, Mango Communications, alainam@thisismango.co.nz, Ph 09 374 0045 or 021 068 2584 or
Anna-Louise Hoffmann, Mango Communications, annah@thisismango.co.nz, Ph 09 354 1371 or 0274 996 277

About Coastguard Northern Region:

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 Northern Region operates the area from Thames across to the Mokau River and everything north and is based at the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre (AMRC) in Mechanics Bay. Each year the operations room at the AMRC receives over 100,000 VHF marine radio calls.

Coastguard Northern Region however, does more than daring rescues at sea. Generations of dedicated people have established an organisation that provides a wealth of services to every person using our harbours and beaches.

· We provide a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year service.

· Install and maintain VHF radio repeaters throughout the Northern Region to enable mariners to communicate with each other over long distances.

· Provide a 24 hour continuous weather forecast on marine radio VHF channels 20, 21, 22 and 23.

· Accept trip reports from any vessel able to make radio contact.

· Provide a range of boating education courses to ensure that boaties have a sound knowledge of their boats and the rules of the road at sea.

Coastguard’s Northern Region Maritime School gives boaties the skills they need for a safe and enjoyable time on the water. They have a range of theory-based and practical (RYA) courses available. These are aimed at encouraging people to get to know the boating rules and regulation whilst gaining the skills and experience to keep safe.
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