Coastguard Nelson is a well-oiled beacon of hope and has pulled in national recognition for its work to propel vital water and marine safety advice.
Winning Community Engagement Unit of the Year, the Nelson unit also had one of its 35 to 40 volunteers, Peter Herrick, win ‘Operational Crew Member of the Year’, from a sea of 2200 nationwide. The award was won for his leadership in training and life-saving rescues.
Life member Pete Kara says Coastguard Nelson was “overwhelmed” with the duo of prizes.
Not only were an acknowledgement of Peter Herrick, the unit’s crew and the individuals and organisations who support them, but its late community engagement officer, Wayne ‘Harry’ Harrison.
Harry “lived and breathed” the unit’s community engagement until his tragic passing in a motorbike accident in March.
“In many ways, it was pretty fitting that we should get this community engagement award because it's a way of honouring his legacy, and this one definitely is for Harry,” Pete says.
“While we never promote any individuals per se within the unit, because the unit's really strong on working as a team, there are times when you get people like Harry stepping up, and that just makes a difference.”
In its award citation, Coastguard Nelson’s community engagement includes the Harbourmaster, Land Search and Rescue and surf lifesaving clubs, opening up its unit for local Scouts and Cadets to grasp marine and water safety, holding bar-crossing seminars, and hosting special charters for underprivileged youth.
Safety boating services at Kaiteriteri's Waka Ama races, the Tata Titanic Cardboard Boat Race, and the Collingwood Raft Race are also part of its swell community engagement record.
Coastguard Nelson was also noted for its response in Nelson Tasman’s severe weather and flooding events in June and July, including towing land-based debris that had washed to the coastline, and work in the Emergency Operations Centre.
Thirteen-year veteran Peter Herrick was “incredibly humbled and honoured” with his bestowment in a role that floats his boat.
Lauded by Coastguard for his “much-admired” people management skills, ability to teach in real-life challenges and keep crew switched on, he has steered the course for a “strong and capable” unit for Nelson.
“Something I'm extremely proud of is every one of us [in Coastguard Nelson] has a link in the chain, and that chain gives us strength overall,” he says.
“It's all about eliminating risk, and if things don't go quite right, what's your plan B?”
Off the water, Peter is the ANZ Nelson and Richmond branch manager, a shoo-in for the Nelson unit’s “healthier bank accounts”, which his award also points to.
