Kapiti Observer newspaper article
Comments attributed to Mana Coastguard master Grant Porter were unfortunate and not the view of the Royal New Zealand Coastguard, nor the Mana unit.
In an article published 5th March 2009 in the Kapiti Observer, Mr Porter appears to describe local recreational launch owners as uncooperative and ungrateful.
"That's just not the case" says Mana Coastguard President Laurie Watkins.
Vice-President and rescue boat skipper, Chris Reid, explains; "In the great majority of cases, distressed boaties are VERY pleased to see us and eager to do all they can to assist in their own rescue. Not only that, but in two recent rescues both the rescued parties have visited the base afterwards and made a sizeable donation. You can't complain about that level of gratitude".
The Royal New Zealand Coastguard is a charitable organisation relying on membership fees, fundraising, donations and Lotteries Grants Board funding to cover expenses of nearly $10 million per annum.
For more information:
Chris Reid
Coastguard Mana
021 131 2788
Click image for full size version