Geoff Bunn
Coastguard Taranaki
Since Geoff joined Coastguard Taranaki in February 2022, he has gone from strength to strength – completing his Deckhand and Qualified Crew syllabus training and assessments alongside an automotive apprenticeship, demonstrating his incredible commitment to saving lives on the water.
Already contributing around 400 hours per year to the unit, Geoff can be relied upon to attend most callouts – in fact, he’s often one of the first crew to respond. He constantly puts his hand up for other responsibilities, including Health and Safety Rep and tractor driver to launch and recover the rescue vessel – and has been elected to the Management Committee.
Geoff brings a sense of humour and self-reflection to situations, believes in doing the right thing, and is a strong role model for our new trainees through his actions and commitment. A highly valued member of the Taranaki crew, Geoff is expected to go on to become a Skipper in the future.
Jessica Cameron
Coastguard Marlborough
Jessica joined Coastguard Marlborough at just 17. Since then, she has consistently demonstrated key Coastguard values of teamwork, integrity and excellence, navigated high-pressure situations with poise, and fostered a “let’s get stuff done” attitude within the team.
This remarkable young woman achieved both her Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) ticket and ISC Master in six years – the latter with the second highest pass rate achieved through the Coastguard training system. A runner-up in 2019’s Young Coastguard Volunteer of the Year award, Jessica has joined the Marlborough Committee, bringing a younger focus and perspective, and ensuring that the unit will be in good hands in the future.
Jessica has also inspired other female crew members, to the point where the unit can launch two rescue vessels simultaneously with all-women crew. With her professional achievements underscoring her commitment to maritime safety and education, Jessica has a promising future – and is an inspiration to young volunteers across the country.
Leah Sinton
Coastguard North Shore
Since joining Coastguard North Shore in February 2022, Lean Sinton has quickly become a vital member of the team. She has already amassed over 470 hours on the water – while off the water, her proactive nature and willingness to contribute are impressive.
Whenever something needs to be done, Leah is among the first to put her hand up. From assisting with training and maintenance, fundraising, looking after the tractor, crew day prep and recently picking up the Unit Crew Coordinator role, Leah has quickly earned a reputation for making things look easy. As well as being a quick learner, Leah has a unique gift for teaching and fostering a supportive environment for her crew. Remarkably, she balances her extensive volunteer commitments with full-time studies at Auckland University.
Leah's innovative mindset, leadership skills, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to the team, who reckon she’s “selfless, determined, trustworthy and just plain awesome!”