Local Search and Rescue Need Another Sea Advisor

There is room for back-up in the local search and rescue service.

North Otago Search and Rescue is making do with one sea advisor in Moeraki and the help of an Oamaru fisherman for emergency calls off the North Otago coast.

NOSAR chairman and the area's only official sea advisor, John McLellan, says the system in place for dealing with emergency calls at sea is adequate although there is room for improvement.

Any emergency sea calls go to the police, who in turn contact him to get specific advice on weather conditions, ocean swell and locations for search and rescue missions.

John is an ex-naval man and keeps a keen eye on the sea from his base on the Moeraki waterfront, where he also receives and transmits the latest weather reports for boaties.

Although he would like to see another sea advisor appointed to ensure better coverage in emergencies, he is reasonably content with the current handling of emergency calls.

He and NOSAR are grateful for Oamaru charter fisherman Ted Boraman's help should they need it further north along the coast for searches or other help at short notice.

(by Red Hurring)