Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Stories
Linked To
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence allows you to download this work and share it with others as long as you mention us and link back to us, but you cannot change it in any way or use it commercially.
Dunedin Public Libraries and the Dunedin Lebanese Community Present
He Purapura Marara | Scattered Seeds
He Purapura Marara | Scattered Seeds
Menu
Scoop Nets
Details
DescriptionSCOOP NETS
Senior Sergeant Woolman reported at the November 1976 meeting that a scoop net was at present in Invercargill and he would arrange for it to be brought to Dunedin before it was returned to Wellington. Captain Parry said he would arrange a Harbour Board crane to demonstrate its use. Following this display Lou Vorgers measured up the net frame and declared he could make them. The function was for the net to be attached to a helicopter cargo hook by a long strop and the pilot scoop the victim out of the water. The net was stored first at St.Clair Surf Life Saving Club with another at Taieri Mouth at the beach side private residence of Keith Simon. The Dunedin net was under the charge of the surf life saving rescue boat crew.
The rescue net was recognised as a potential rescue tool during the August 8 1979 Abbotsford slip where many houses slipped down a hill. There not being a helicopter available in Dunedin one was brought from Timaru, picking up the net from St.Clair and a base set up at Sunnyvale Park for its operation. By 02.00 Hrs the next morning it was confirmed all residence were accounted for and the crew and the base stood down.
The net proved its worth during the once in 100 year flooding for the Taieri Plain in June 1980. After a day of jet boats rescuing people from their houses and just on dark a call for help came from a house at Henley near the river. Earlier in the day the residence refused to be evacuated but by now grass and other debris prevented safe use of a boat. The decision was made to use the scoop net with Beck Helicopters. With a safety person in the net the helicopter flew over to the house positioning the net at window level. Instructions before takeoff were to pick up two adults, with no communications and the pilot feeling 2 separate weights go into the net he started to depart. Unfortunately one of the weights was a suitcase but attraction made to the pilot and he returned and picked up the other adult.
It was until 1971 that a structured training exercise was held at Taieri Mouth enjoyed by everyone.
Senior Sergeant Woolman reported at the November 1976 meeting that a scoop net was at present in Invercargill and he would arrange for it to be brought to Dunedin before it was returned to Wellington. Captain Parry said he would arrange a Harbour Board crane to demonstrate its use. Following this display Lou Vorgers measured up the net frame and declared he could make them. The function was for the net to be attached to a helicopter cargo hook by a long strop and the pilot scoop the victim out of the water. The net was stored first at St.Clair Surf Life Saving Club with another at Taieri Mouth at the beach side private residence of Keith Simon. The Dunedin net was under the charge of the surf life saving rescue boat crew.
The rescue net was recognised as a potential rescue tool during the August 8 1979 Abbotsford slip where many houses slipped down a hill. There not being a helicopter available in Dunedin one was brought from Timaru, picking up the net from St.Clair and a base set up at Sunnyvale Park for its operation. By 02.00 Hrs the next morning it was confirmed all residence were accounted for and the crew and the base stood down.
The net proved its worth during the once in 100 year flooding for the Taieri Plain in June 1980. After a day of jet boats rescuing people from their houses and just on dark a call for help came from a house at Henley near the river. Earlier in the day the residence refused to be evacuated but by now grass and other debris prevented safe use of a boat. The decision was made to use the scoop net with Beck Helicopters. With a safety person in the net the helicopter flew over to the house positioning the net at window level. Instructions before takeoff were to pick up two adults, with no communications and the pilot feeling 2 separate weights go into the net he started to depart. Unfortunately one of the weights was a suitcase but attraction made to the pilot and he returned and picked up the other adult.
It was until 1971 that a structured training exercise was held at Taieri Mouth enjoyed by everyone.
Relates to
SubjectSearch and RescueImageFirst Scoop Net TrainingOrganisationDunedin Marine Search and Rescue IncPlaceTaieri Mouth, Dunedin
ImageFirst Scoop Net TrainingOrganisationDunedin Marine Search and Rescue IncPlaceTaieri Mouth, DunedinContributors
ContributorRowan Leck
loading google map....
Scoop Nets. Dunedin Public Libraries, accessed 13/10/2026, https://dunedin.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/200071