Embracing the SAR Spirit: Police Team Shines at NZ SAR Awards

Police Search and Rescue (SAR) squads were recognized for their exceptional professionalism and expertise at the annual New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards held last night at the Grand Hall of Parliament House in Wellington.

The award was presented by Deputy Minister of Transport Hong Kiri Arang.

• Northland Police SAR Squad and Police National Diving Squad received gold awards. On March 20-21, 2022, she rescued 10 people from the vessel Enchanter near North Cape/Otou.

• Police National Submarine and Southern District Police were awarded a Certificate of Merit for their role in the search for missing vagrants near Milford Sound/Piopiotahi from 27-31 March 2022.

• Waikato Regional Police were also honored for rescuing three adults and two children from a bar in Tairua Harbor on January 5, 2022.

In addition, two Certificates of Merit “Support” were awarded to Senior Constable Peter Cunningham and Senior Sergeant John Wilson. This certification recognized their exceptional service and commitment to search and rescue operations in the Waiparapara and Bay of Plenty SAR areas respectively.

The award was presented by Deputy Minister of Transport Hong Kiri Arang.

“Police SAR experts work with a network of volunteers and professional organizations to reunite missing, missing and injured people with their loved ones,” said Craig Rendell, operations and emergency management manager. police said.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team working to ensure the safety and well-being of those in need. We should be incredibly proud of the recognition we have received.”

Rescue of the Enchanter was one of the Gold Award winning operations, Operation.

The rescue involved a 46-hour search and rescue operation following a distress call from the Enchanter, a charter fishing vessel capsized near Cape Oto with 10 people on board.

“It was quickly apparent that there was a problem with the weather front across Northland. A few hours late.” Weather. ” Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalf, who was SAR Director for the Northland District at the time of the rescue.

“I cannot praise the professionalism and attention to detail of the dive team enough.”

Cliff said this was a huge effort by everyone involved, including not just SAR and submarine team members, but police and the entire Northland area effort since the incident occurred.

“There was a strong determination to try to solve this problem. We got all the members out of the boat and we were done.”

Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, five lives were saved and the deceased were returned to their families.

“The quality of this year’s winners is exceptional,” said Duncan Farner, Director General of New Zealand Search and Rescue. “These people and groups represent the best talent in the search and rescue field in 2022.”

“Some of these people have worked diligently, often for years, to improve the chances of finding people in distress. Some are heading into extreme weather conditions to rescue people in danger.”

“They have all provided vital service to New Zealand at the expense of time spent with family and friends. .”

More information about the 2022 NZ Search and Rescue Awards, including rescue descriptions, can be found in the NZSAR media release available here.
https://nzsar.govt.nz/news/bravery-and-community-service-honoured-at-nz-…

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Published by Police Media Center

Caption: New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards 2022, credit to Mark Coote.

1) Constable Ben Pai – Received a Certificate of Achievement on behalf of the Police National Subsquad in the search for missing vagrants near Milford Sound/Piopiotahi from 27-31 March 2022.

2) Representatives of Northern Rescue Helicopters, Northland Police SAR Squad, Police National Diving Unit, Maritime New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre, Florence Nightingale and the crew of Pacific Invaders, and Kobe O’Neill, Gold Medal for Enchanter Rescue.

3) Chief Sergeant Todd Holrebon receiving a certificate of completion on behalf of the Southern District Police during a missing vagrants search operation near Milford Sound/Piopiotahi from March 27-31, 2022.

4) Dunedin LandSAR, Fiordland LandSAR, Wakatipu LandSAR, Wanaka LandSAR Canyon/Swiftwater Team, Paul Rogers, Southern District Police, Police National Diving Unit, Southland AREC, Action Helicopters, Southern Lakes Helicopters, Milford Sound Volunteer Fire Brigade representative was honored. Recognized for exceptional response to missing illegal travelers near Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.

5) Senior Constable Peter Cunningham was awarded the ‘Certificate of Merit – Assistance’ for his services and contributions to search and rescue.

6) Group photo of the winners.