Two trampers have been rescued without delay today thanks to beacons. A 32-year-old German tramper was picked up by the Rotorua rescue helicopter after injuring his ankle while tramping inland from East Cape this morning. This afternoon a 63-year-old Wellington man was rescued by the Wellington Westpac helicopter after suffering a cut to his head […]
Late night rescue for mountaineer
A 64-year-old English solo mountaineer was rescued from the western slopes of Mt Mabel, 7km south of Aoraki Mt Cook, at around 11pm last night after slipping on snow and injuring a leg on rocks. The man, from Leeds, activated his UK-registered personal locator beacon at around 8pm and the UK Coastguard, which handles beacon […]
Christmas beacon saves day for cyclists
A distress beacon received as a gift for Christmas saved two cyclists lost in Pureora Forest Park near Taupo from a second night in the open when it was activated late yesterday afternoon. The Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) received the beacon activation at around 5.15pm and the Greenlea rescue helicopter from Taupo was directed […]
RCCNZ continues work 24/7
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) continues working fully staffed 24/7 over the Christmas and New Year holidays. RCCNZ coordinates search and rescue services nationally for all aviation and off-shore marine incidents within New Zealand’s 30 million square kilometer search and rescue region, and any land-based searches involving distress beacons. This can involve mobilisation […]
Cheap but online boating bargains come at a price
A boatie who had bought a “tired” yacht for just $500 online has had the vessel restricted to use on Wellington harbour after threatening to sail to Westport without an engine, radio or safety equipment. Another online shopper did the right thing in buying an emergency beacon (EPIRB – emergency position-indicating radio beacon) before heading […]
Settlement ends court process over rowing accident
Otago Boys High School and rowing coach Fred Strachan have accepted full responsibility for an accident in October last year in which two 14-year-old pupils were seriously injured when a support boat collided with a rowing eight on Otago harbour. The school has improved safety processes and will pay compensation to the two injured students. […]
New guidelines follow inflatable lifejacket concerns
Concerns that some inflatable lifejackets failed because they had not been serviced, and boaties were getting unclear information, have led to new, national guidelines for safer use of inflatable lifejackets. The guidelines were developed by a nation-wide industry group representing manufacturers, importers, retailers, boating organisations, New Zealand Defence Force, local government and central government. It […]
Changes to Notice to Mariners and Chart Catalogue
Land Information New Zealand have made some changes to Notice to Mariners and their Chart Catalogue to make it easier for you to find the information you need. You now have a search box to find charts as well as a drop down box. You can now bookmark charts in your internet browser. You’ll find it […]
Improved bathymetry to grow NZ’s marine economy
Improving bathymetric data – information about the depth of the ocean floor – could have benefits for New Zealand’s marine economy, a LINZ investigation has revealed. “A number of industries depend on bathymetric data, such as shipping and fishing. It’s used to show safe passage for ships in nautical charts, and areas that are likely […]
Students get a taste of maps, charts and data
It’s never too early to learn about hydrography, topography and the cool things LINZ can do with data – especially when it comes to knowing the vital difference between maps and charts. “They hate the charts being called sea maps,” says 11-year-old Jaidyn Russell, who visited LINZ today with Hastings Intermediate School. “We also met […]
