Groups working to keep people safe during leisure at sea or on the coast have received more than $50,000 in funding from Franklin Local Board.
Franklin is the only one of Auckland’s 21 local boards with a fund set aside for coastal rescue purposes.
Three grants were made - $30,000 for operational costs for Coastguard Maraetai, $10,000 to Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi for equipment upgrades, and $13,374 to Waiuku Search and Rescue for equipment and to replace outboard motors.
The grants totalled $53,374 from a request of more than $80,000.
Board chair Andy Baker says the Franklin area has enormous stretches of coastline and the more rugged west coast beaches were a known hazard.
“We have coastline on both our eastern and western boundaries and the lure of the sea is very strong here. It’s good to be able to set money aside to help support the hundreds of volunteers who give their time to keep us all safe.”
