Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue Inc

DUNEDIN MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE INC After Police representatives returned from a 1971 national “Close to shore search and rescue & who was responsible” seminar, they called for interest from prominent Dunedin search and rescue members of the public and members of the Aero, Surf Life Saving, yachting, boating and marine rescue interested clubs plus local representatives from the services and Harbour Board to form a unit to assist them in the act of rescuing people in difficulty close to shore. The resulting organisation now known as Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue Incorporated (DnMSAR) was formed. From the beginning the group was forward thinking. First it was realised that the Police did not have training or education on marine search and rescue requirements, resource availability or the necessary management experience of marine search and rescue with volunteers. The Police were very keen both officially and as volunteers and aptly became the Chairmen and Secretary for a number of years as well taking other critical parts in search and rescue (SAR) activity. In the late 1970s a dramatic increase in home built boats was recognised and the need for faster and efficient rescue systems was expected by the public. Coming available and considered were special equipped rescue boats and the helicopter. The local water having an average summer temperature of only 14° to 18° C. the helicopter with its versatility, was the obvious first choice and helicopter scoop nets then air drop life rafts were purchased. Shortly after, alert pagers and portable radios were added to shorten response times and enhance communication. Then in 1994, noting the increase in swimming, surfing and boating at remote locations, Dunedin MSAR formed their volunteer air sea rescue response unit, the Water Rescue Squad, which works alongside the Otago Rescue Helicopter. This dedicated group is highly trained and qualified in pre-hospital emergency care, surf rescue, swift water rescue, swamp and river searching, advanced swimming skills, shallow water search (less than 3 metres) and must have the skills and also qualify for the regulations required to work with the rescue helicopter. These changes contributed to the less need for some of the traditional forms of response moving some from a first response unit to a back up and alternative response. The teams have attended to all types of search and rescues from Malicious distress flare alerts, ship on fire, swimmers or board riders in distress, deep sea rescue, medical recovery, Attention seekers, body recovery, cliff jumpers, missing persons, and vehicles in the water. Incident destinations range from local events to as far north as Timaru, west to sea from Haast, East 80 Nm to sea from Dunedin, and 150 Nm south of New Zealand. From 1975 to 2014 the records report 1,253 Calls of persons in difficulty; 2,562 reported volunteer hours spent with 425 Persons being rescued.