Ian Gabites
Coastguard Taranaki
Ian is an active volunteer for Taranaki, a Radio Operator and one of the Duty Officers for the unit. Just quietly, that’s a contribution of over 500 hours a year to the unit in these various roles. It’s no surprise he’s a finalist.
Ian has completed CIMS4, Marine SAR Technical, Manage the Marine Response, SAR Manager and Communications Instructor. He is a key trainer for new volunteer radio operators coming into the unit and keeps everyone else in the region on their A-game.
Ian has managed the unit’s response to a number of calls for assistance. A recent example was a tow of a 7m launch from off the coast of South Taranaki to Port Taranaki. The vessel, with one person onboard, had broken down 50 nautical miles from Port in marginal conditions. His management of the response and welfare of the crew throughout was a great example to all.
Jill Robertson
Communications East
Few volunteers exhibit as much passion for the job as Jill. If a shift needs to be filled, Jill frequently is the one to do it. She has been a mainstay at Communications East in this way, especially over the last few years, doing a huge number of shifts and mentoring those in the unit who are training up as radio operators.
Jill has dealt with dozens of distress calls and emergencies over her tenure as a Duty Officer, and she is an outstanding radio operator - always staying calm under pressure and making critical decisions in a considered way. What’s more, she is always striving for better and looking at ways we can improve systems as well as looking at gaps in our processes. She has even been studying up on the Northern areas so that on occasion she can help out there if they are under the pump.
Maurice Carter
Coastguard Marlborough
In short, Maurice’s contributions to Coastguard Marlborough and the broader maritime community are immeasurable. His nomination for this recognition is a unanimous decision by the unit, and they believe honouring Maurice will not only celebrate the lasting impact he has had on the crew, but also help inspire others.
Maurice’s tenure of over 15 years with Coastguard Marlborough has been characterised by his ability to improve incident response and coordination processes significantly. His calm demeanour and extensive experience have been pivotal in high-stress situations, fostering a sense of confidence and reliability among the team.
A prime example of this was during the challenging incident involving the grounding of the Aratere. His role was crucial both on and off the water, demonstrating his commitment to keeping Kiwis safe. Maurice’s efficient coordination and ability to work harmoniously with other agencies underscore his integral role in our mission’s success.