A new $200,000 amphibious boat is on the wish list for Tauranga Coastguard as part of an expansion plan for off-shore rescues.

In March last year, Tauranga Coastguard began investigating the ideal boat for Tauranga Harbour and how best to complement the existing larger off-shore rescue vessel TECT Rescue.

A model of the new boat Tauranga Coastguard want to purchase.

Operations manager Simon Barker says various options were explored after a number of incidents in recent years showed Coastguard's resources were 'somewhat limited to respond fully to our full potential”.

'After some evaluation and discussion with other people and with the manufacturer we have decided to purchase a New Zealand designed and built amphibious boat from the Sealegs company based in North Auckland.”

The boat is primarily for use in the harbour and close to shore, but because it is larger than the inshore boat, it will be capable of getting as far as Mayor Island if needed.

He says there are a number of critical differences between the new boat and the existing vessel.

'The main two being that the Sealegs is amphibious and it is powered by an outboard propeller motor rather than by a jet unit.”

A separate Honda petrol motor drives all three of the large wheels, which can be retracted when the vessel is in deeper water allowing the it to be driven in shallow waters and up on to dry land, even over soft and rocky terrain.

'This means we will have direct access to areas we have never been able to get to before, sure in the knowledge that we will never run aground and get stuck.

'We have had a number of problems with the jet boat, especially in shallower water where we get excessive amounts of weed in the jet unit preventing it from working properly, resulting in the boat sometimes having to limp home very slowly or worse, cause the engine to overheat and get towed home.”

Simon says this will obviously not be a concern with a propeller driven boat.

The additional size of the vessel, 7.7m compared to 6m, will mean it is capable of fulfilling more roles than the current boat, says Simon.
'Meaning we will be less reliant on the larger boat, which can be quite expensive to run.”

Since deciding to purchase the boat, Tauranga Coastguard staff have been fundraising by selling raffle tickets, holding a golf event and running a telephone fundraising campaign.

'Through our own efforts we hope to be able to cover about half the cost,” says Simon.

'We have been very fortunate this year to be named as one of the two major recipients of the Police Annual Charity Auction Luncheon, which will be a major step forward in our fundraising.”

Simon hopes to receive the remainder of the funds from one or two charitable trusts.

'All being well we shall be able to confirm the last of the funding shortly, at which point we will be able to put in the order for the boat, with the intention of taking delivery of it prior to Christmas.”