Mr. Eugene Clonan:

To take up from Ms O'Keeffe's comments: there is no duplication. I look upon it as a three-legged stool. The centre is the rescue co-ordination centre and, of the three legs, one is the RNLI, one is the Coast Guard helicopter service and one is the Coast Guard unit volunteers. Search and rescue is bigger than that. It is about shipping. Most of our rescues involve inshore swimmers. There is the recreation industry, fishing and what we call solo ships. When a distress call goes out, it is incumbent upon the vessels to assist. When something happens, all those other resources come in, in addition to the assistance from the Navy and the Air Corps. That is how it is done.

In relation to other countries, the UK has the RNLI and Her Majesty's Coastguard service, which comprises of volunteers. It is the same in Maritime New Zealand.