Permission for new boat shed at Kaiapoi

Press, 11 February 1981, Page 5

Permission for new boat shed at Kaiapoi

The Waimakariri-Ashley lifeboat and crew are only a few months away from getting a permanent base now that the club has been given permission to build a boat shed and ramp next to the Kaiapoi wharf. The Reserves and Harbour committee of the Kaiapoi Borough Council decided last week to grant a licence for the construction of the shed and ramp and to waive the speed limit on the river in emergencies. A member of the club known as Waimak/Ashley Lifeboat Inc., Mr F. Felgate, said later that the move to permanent headquarters meant that the club would have closer ties with the public of Kaiapoi. Mr Felgate said that at > present the lifeboat was kept at a-crew member’s garage and the vehicle to tow it at another member’s home. Club gear was scat-' tered at the homes of five of six club members. The boat is launched from the Mandy ramp on the Kaiapoi River. Mr Felgate said this could cause

problems in an mergency, as other people might have craft on the ramp at the same time. Although the club has ho base, members have performed a wide range of services including communications for local sports dubs, including the 24-hour yacht race held recently. The club is associated with the Sumner Lifeboat Institution and the Surf Rescue Association, and is a member of the New Zealand Coast Guard. The lifeboat is taken out each Sunday to train crew members in river craft and how to “red” the surf at the Waimakariri rivermouth. “It does not take longto get tlie boat' out, but we could fall down one day if one of the crew is not home when he is called in an emergency,” said Mr Felgate. The club has launched an appeal - to raise about $lO,OOO towards the building costs. Mr Felgate said that the club sought gifts of concrete blocks and roofing material to help reduce

this target figure. The club also hopes that a sponsor will give a vehicle, such as a LandRover. to move the boat. Mr Felgate said that all interested people were invited to meet club members each Sunday this month at the -Kaiapoi wharf from 9 a.m. tp 12 noon.’ ■.' : , He said that if all went well, the club shed and ramp should be ready for use in about three months. The Project Employment Programme workers will help build the shed and the ramp. *