Waihi Beach Coastguard has installed a lift in its two storey building making access to the administrative level easier for elderly and disabled members.
A need for more volunteers, particularly radio operators, is what prompted the move, says Waihi Beach Coastguard secretary, Brian Harrison. The lift was built with paraplegic volunteer Chris Moore in mind.

Chris Moore taking the lift.

Chris plays wheelchair rugby and goes fishing in a boat that has a hoist to lift him in and out. Chris also takes part in Coastguard tracking exercises.
'Chris has been a member for a couple of years now and the lift allows him to get upstairs. He can now become more involved in our administrative duties,” says Brian.
'Without this large volunteer sector we would find it difficult to do our job.”
Waihi Beach Coastguard needs boat crew, trainers, duty officers, committee members and radio operators. Volunteers are required to operate the radios seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Hours are on a roster from 7am-7pm. People with a good background in nautical knowledge can become tutors for Coastguard's Boat Masters and Day Skipper courses or tractor drivers to launch the boat.
'The lift is important because we have people in Coastguard who find it difficult to get up the stairs at the centre,” says Brian.
'This opens doors for everyone in the community, particularly older people, and gives them the opportunity to become involved.”
The lift was funded with help from the Lion Foundation, Valda Trust and Faye and Frank Davis.
The Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard's radio room is on the ground floor.