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Europa Jet Rescue Boat
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DescriptionEUROPA JET RESCUE BOAT
In the late 1970s Otago Surf Life Saving Association received a Europa Oil Company sponsored specially designed Hamilton jet rescue boat capable of use in most in shore and surf conditions. Alan McNaughton a foundation member and delegate of the Surf Association offered the use of the boat to Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue. The Police unofficially presented a flashing red light for the roof of the tow vehicle and it was ready for emergencies. Overall the boat was not as successful as sister boats further north and in Australia due to the steep, soft and high sand hills fronting the beach creating difficulty in launching recovery from its house at Moana Rua between St Kilda and St.Clair Beaches. Called to other locations on its road trailer it proved its worth as a search tool.
A notable incident the boat performed ideally was during the June 1980 Taieri flood. The first day it was used to check out flooded houses and rescuing people from them. The second day at Momona airport it rescued a floating aircraft which was towed ‘ashore’ and then inserted an inspection team to a hanger where on surf rescue paddle boards they checked for spilled fuel and oils. This was followed by salvaging electronic radar equipment.
In the late 1970s Otago Surf Life Saving Association received a Europa Oil Company sponsored specially designed Hamilton jet rescue boat capable of use in most in shore and surf conditions. Alan McNaughton a foundation member and delegate of the Surf Association offered the use of the boat to Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue. The Police unofficially presented a flashing red light for the roof of the tow vehicle and it was ready for emergencies. Overall the boat was not as successful as sister boats further north and in Australia due to the steep, soft and high sand hills fronting the beach creating difficulty in launching recovery from its house at Moana Rua between St Kilda and St.Clair Beaches. Called to other locations on its road trailer it proved its worth as a search tool.
A notable incident the boat performed ideally was during the June 1980 Taieri flood. The first day it was used to check out flooded houses and rescuing people from them. The second day at Momona airport it rescued a floating aircraft which was towed ‘ashore’ and then inserted an inspection team to a hanger where on surf rescue paddle boards they checked for spilled fuel and oils. This was followed by salvaging electronic radar equipment.
Relates to
SubjectSearch and RescueTaieri floodsImageTaieri Flood rescue from flooded homeOrganisationDunedin Marine Search and Rescue IncPlaceTaieri RiverTaieri Plains
Taieri floodsImageTaieri Flood rescue from flooded homeOrganisationDunedin Marine Search and Rescue IncPlaceTaieri RiverTaieri PlainsContributors
ContributorRowan Leck
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Europa Jet Rescue Boat. Dunedin Public Libraries, accessed 13/10/2026, https://dunedin.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/200064