Another great weekend down here in New Zealand. Friday sailing in a local race. Fun and easy – took my small camera and uploaded some new pictures here.
Saturday in Auckland at NZ Coastguard lectures (Towing Techniques, Observation Techniques, Victim Recovery and Search Techniques) There was a test after each of the modules. This is part of the training I have to go through before I become full member of the unit. On a lunch time friend ofmine from the Howick unit and I went to Mission Bay for a coffee since the training was located near by and while we are sipping our lattes I watched a car hit bicyclist head on. The car was turning into a parking lot and obviously did not give right of the way to a bicyclist going straight. I saw this guy flew off his bicycle, roll over the car and land few meters behind. So we got up and went up there to see if there is something we can do. We called cops and ambulance and started to help the bicyclist to see what was wrong with him. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet that was crack when he hit the pavement. He was little shaken but conscious and alert. So we gave him some water and waited for an ambulance. When the cops showed up we gave them our cell numbers in a case they need a witness and had to go back to a classroom.
Then on Sunday, the Alpha crew was on duty (Howick has 5 units – Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo) and it turned great again. About 30 minutes after we launch the boat we got the call that there was a heart attack on a charter fishing boat about an hour away – and the boat was in the Port of Jackson. The boat is 9.5m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat powered by a 483HP Scania Diesel driving a Hamilton Jet Unit. 
A big jet boat so loud we all have to wear headphones to communicate inside. We got there only about 10 minutes after rescue helicopter showed up and lowered their medic already on the boat. The guy was doing alright but had to be transported to hospital so we put him on our boat and transfered him to a shore where the helicopter has landed and waited for him. Then I got a chance to practice the helm on the way back. So much fun. Very different than sailing but this baby just flies over the water. Awesome.
Howick Coast Guard
August 27th, 2007 by martin Leave a reply »
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Hi Martin – Sept 10, 2007.
Finally with Meg’s help got on your blog. Thanks I’ll be sure to check it all out.
Arthur
Martin! I am so impressed with what you have been up to! It certainly blows doors on Marin Ventures! We are still in Ireland and I have a new little myspace page. I’d love to stay in touch-if you go to the page and request to be added you will be able to see what we’ve been up to. You won’t believe how big Jeremy and Gavan are and Jeremy STILL says, “Relax, baby” w/a Slovakian accent. Thanks for that, dude!
Hey Martin..I love your blog. I watched the movie little children not too long ago, very powerful. I will say, the book was much better…..Take care and keep in touch! Liz
I have to admin that cool design f blog must attract many visitors. I was reading Your blog for arround 3 last weeks and I’m really impressed.