Cowes RNLI lifeboat crewman Peter Cunningham knows all about multi-tasking when it comes to emergency services, thanks to a spell in New Zealand.
Having previously been in the crew of the Cowes lifeboat before the service was taken over by the RNLI, he had no hesitation in volunteering his services for the lifeboat operation in the popular New Zealand resort of Marlborough Sounds, Nelson. The lifeboat, a RIB carrying a crew of three, was run by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.
Nelson Red Cross Response Team
In addition, Peter became an active volunteer of the Nelson Red Cross Response Team, expected to deal with a whole range of civil defence emergencies, from collapsed buildings to cliff rescues and welfare.
Although he had left New Zealand well before the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, in February this year, his fellow team members were involved for nearly a month in the response and recovery work, doing urban search and rescue, welfare, water sanitation and outreach (door knocking for welfare needs).
15 shouts a year
Regarding the Marlborough Sounds lifeboat, Peter said: “It attended up to 15 ‘shouts’ a year, often assisting a local police launch. In addition we had regular search and rescue exercises at weekends.”
Peter had been with the-then independent lifeboat at Cowes in 2003-2005. After going on to spend periods in Japan and Australia, he moved to New Zealand in 2008 and took a job at a large leisure centre at the Marlborough Sounds resort. After returning to Cowes, he lost little time in rejoining the local lifeboat operation, which in 2008 was taken over by the RNLI.
The site of the rebranded lifeboat station in Medina Road and the RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Tabby Cat, brought back memories for him in an unexpected way.
“Although the Marlborough Sounds lifeboat service has no connection with our RNLI, both of their flags are very similar in colour and design. I like to think it demonstrates the high regard in which the long-established RNLI is held, even on the other side of the world.” he said.
