Coastguard Tutukaka received the Coastguard Northern Region Rescue of the Year (Northland Operational Area and Regional) award on Saturday at their Annual General Meeting. The award acknowledges their commitment to a rescue on March 9th, 2012.

John W. Glaze, Andrew Wallis and Thomas Barker-Harland responded to a night-time call out that was successfully completed in testing conditions, a 2-3 metre swell with a 25-30 knot wind. In recognition of their efforts and professionalism, they were presented with a certificate by Coastguard Northern Region’s President, Roly Linstrom.

Mr Linstrom says, "Coastguard Northern Region is extremely grateful to all those who donate their time and this rescue is an outstanding example of the dedicated passion our volunteers have to the organisation and our mission of saving lives at sea.

"The entire community benefits from the work of our volunteers and we’re so pleased to be able to extend our recognition to volunteers from units like Coastguard Tutukaka."

The award forms part of Coastguard’s ‘People First Strategy’, an ongoing commitment by the organisation to recognise the many New Zealanders who donate their time and energy to keeping people safe on the water.

Mr Glaze, Coastguard Tutukaka’s President, says that they were thrilled to be the recipients of the 2012 award and look forward to continuing their work with Coastguard.

"It was a humbling experience to receive the award when surrounded by so many dedicated volunteers who are just as much deserving as us", says Mr Glaze.

Coastguard Northern Region is the charity saving lives at sea. It has over 1,000 volunteers and in the last year, brought 4,615 people home to safety.