Safety systems for boaties using the Bowentown Bar have received a $20,280 boost from BayTrust in the latest round of funding.

The Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard is looking at spending the grant on automatic trip reporting equipment, to help manage boat and trip details, and new safety equipment.

Waihi Beach coastguard's Gallagher Rescue. Photo: Supplied.

Treasurer Don Young says the new technology will enable more accurate and expansive trip reporting every time people head out on to the water.

'It will allow us to type in their call sign and all their info will automatically come up,” explains Don, 'such as where they normally leave from, their car and trailer registration numbers, who their next of kin are and where they usually go.

'We're very keen to install it. It will relieve the stress when we are really concerned about an overdue vessel. We'll have all the information about them already at our fingertips. It's almost a quantum leap in regards to data gathering.”

Though he's not sure exactly when it will be installed, Don says Coastguard currently has to write such details down every time a boat radios in, and half of all boaties don't bother making contact to report their trip at all.

The Waihi Beach team were looking at a system similar to that used by Tauranga Coastguard, but now there is another one in development which they are keen to inspect. Whatever they choose, Don's hoping it will be in operation before next summer.

In addition to Automatic Trip Reporting, Waihi Beach Coastguard committee may also use some of the funding for lifejackets, uniforms and training for 10 new volunteer crew members.

The organisation's operational costs exceed $66,000 per year and just 50 per cent is covered by annual membership subscriptions. 'The rest we must find ourselves,” Don explains. 'We can spend up to $1500 a month on fuel alone.”

From December 2014 to February 2015, the local Coastguard answered 3974 radio calls and had 21 calls for help from boaties in trouble, involving 34 people 'who would have been seriously inconvenienced or, potentially, much worse, had we not been able to offer assistance,” says Don.

The bar at Bowentown can be 'treacherous” in certain conditions. Proper technique and extreme vigilance is always required and vessels often get into trouble trying to cross it.

'Even a simple trip over the bar can turn very nasty if something goes wrong,” he adds. It can be very frightening.”

Meanwhile, the Waihi Beach Coastguard is encouraging boat owners to register a call sign for their boat's VHF.

Don says registering a call sign with Coastguard Boating Education Services (www.boatingeducation.org.nz) costs $45 and is an excellent way to help them ensure people remain safe out on the water.

'Even if people are not Coastguard members, we want to know where they are so we can help them in their hour of need,” he says. 'That's our job.”

The Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard, established 25 years ago, operates two rescue vessels. Their communications room is manned at least eight hours a day, every day of the year.

Waihi Beach coastguard answered 21 calls for help this summer.