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Coast Guard Annual Conference, New Zealand.
By: COMMO Harold Wolf, PCGA
KIA ORA in Maori or Mabuhay
Coast guard New Zealand just completed its annual conference held in Christchurch New Zealand, Only 45 min away from the Lords of the Ring location on the South Island.
Our Friend from Australia COMO Ray Campbell and his lovely wife Lynn and several others from Melbourne Australia arrived at the same time as us and we were welcomed by the Coast guard New Zealand President Ian Coard and the CEO Bruce Reid.
Their theme was “Our People, Our Communities, Our Reputation”
The Conference which started on Friday Sept 25 and ended on Sept 27, 2009 was actually a working /training conference, with very effective workshops such as 1. Effective fundraising, Coast guard IT, 3. Tasking Coast guard, 4. Volunteer Recruitment and retention, working as one and How prepared are you, discussing the legal issues, case studies of past rescue operations, the do’s and don’ts..
They also had a great partner program which was for the spouses, the departed early morning on a bus tour through the South Island and returned late in the afternoon. The last evening Gala Dinner was a event to be remembered as they had the best NZ comedians on stage and got many of the delegates involved. This was proceeded with awards.
 Our Friend and my Colleague in the Asia Pacific Network were invited to go to the harbour and check out a brand new vessel just delivered by AMF to the Christchurch sector a 10.5 meter QRV RIB Powered with twin 250Hp four stroke outboards this vessel reaches a top speed of around 47 knots and hull design allows for an easy ride at these speeds.
The weather however was a bit cold for us as it was 6 degrees Celsius when we arrived in Christchurch and with the wind factor it felt like 0 degrees, but then you are dressed for the occasion.
During this event we had a signing of a Memorandum of Intent to Cooperate between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Royal New Zealand Coast guard as well as the Wellington Coast guard.
We also met with representatives of the Rescue Coordination Centre Maritime New Zealand and the New Zealand Search and Rescue Secretariat (NZSAR). This was one of the best conferences I have attended and as Bruce Reid said in his address “the key to a SUCCESSFUL Conference is not down to the program but more about creating opportunities for open discussion about Coast guard, Search and Rescue, the boating environment, what we do well and what we can do better” back to top
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has held its annual National Convention on august 27-29 in Oak Brook, Chicago, Illinois.
NACON 2009’s theme was Leadership, Performance, and Readiness. The program featured very interesting workshops, and training lectures that addresses many aspects of life as a Coast Guard Auxiliarist. But there was fun to be had as well!
On Thursday night (August 27) participants got to experience unique food, drink, and friends from various Districts of the Us Coast Guard Auxiliary, as well as attendees all over the world. Friday evening (august 28) featured a costume theme event, Gangsters and the Roaring Twenties.” The Commodore’s Banquet set on the last evening (August 20), concluded the 2009 National Convention and included the banquet dinner, award ceremonies, and the key note address by the commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard. back to top
RECENT ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON MARITIME SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS CONCLUDED
By: COMMO Harold Wolf, PCGA
Since the idea of creating something similar as the Caribbean Initiative during the US National Convention in Costa Mesa in 2004, We just made history in Asia as the PCGA International Affairs Directorate successfully hosted the 1st conference held in Manila, 27-29 March 2009.
The conference’s aim was to promote mutual cooperation in the Asia was to promote mutual cooperation in the Asia pacific Maritime Community by the creation of an alliance of nations and organizations through International volunteerism and cooperation.
Attendees for the conference were the US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Australian Volunteer Coast guard, the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard, Wellington Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Philippine National Police Maritime Group and Special Boat Unit, Defense Attaché of Thailand and Indonesia, Ministry of Foreign affairs of Vietnam, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), the US Navy, JAITF-F and JSOTF-P.
Each delegation had a presentation on the issues and capabilities of their respective countries. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary then passed a motion for an Asia Pacific Network of Search and Rescue Organization to be formed. This was seconded by the New Zealand. After a vote-off from all the countries represented, the Asia Pacific Network of Search and Rescue Organizations was officially formed
Immediately after we received communications from the Fiji Coast Guard Volunteers of their interest to join the Asia Pacific Network as the first Pacific Island Volunteer Coast Guard.
The dinner on the 28th was honored with the presence of European Union Ambassador McDonald, Senator Richard Gordon, and ADM Wilfredo Tamayo. They were present to witness the renewal of agreement between the 4th District of Palawan and the 14 District of Hawaii.
On the last day, all were invited to have breakfast at the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters hosted by ADM Tamayo. After which, all delegates boarded 004 PCG SAR Vessel fro a tour of Corregidor, again compliment of ADM Tamayo. back to top
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