Coastguard Turangi is pleased to announce it has a new principal sponsor, the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board. 

The sponsorship will allow the Turangi Coastguard to commission the building of a new Coastguard Rescue Vessel (CRV) as well as the development of a ‘cadet’ training scheme.

The 9 metre rigid hull inflatable will be built by Orca, in Rotorua, and is due to be completed in 2012.  Compared to the unit’s current vessel, the new CRV will have superior performance, and significantly improve crew safety and operational capability during life saving search and rescues on Taupo Moana.

In addition the sponsorship arrangement will also allow the Turangi Coastguard to continue to provide safety support for sporting events as well as boat safety and skills programmes.

Robert Hood, Vice President of Coastguard Turangi, said “we’re thrilled to have entered this partnership and to get the support of the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board. Our organisations are both interested in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of users on Taupo Moana, so it is fitting that we both work together to achieve this”

Topia Rameka of the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board said “Taupo Moana is a dynamic environment and as kaitiaki, Ngati Tuwharetoa are mindful of the safety of all those who enjoy and recreate this special taonga of ours, to this end it is appropriate for the Board to be supporting initiatives such as this’”.

Additional funding for the project has come from Lotteries Grants Board, Genesis Energy, and Huckleberry’s Sports & Charitable Society; however Coastguard Turangi still needs support to complete the project. Rob says ‘the support we have received so far from local people and organisations has been great. The reality is though we do still have a funding shortfall,

so if you wish to make a donation please call us’.  Please phone Rob (027 233 5062) or Allan Turia (027 478 3196) if you can help.