Doubtless Bay Watch (formerly Operation Flotation) is a charitable trust established in 2018 with the purposes of:
Since 2021 we have worked with Surf Life Saving New Zealand to create and support national guidelines for flotation devices, for NZ beaches. On 4 December 2023 they released A Guide to Public Rescue Equipment for the New Zealand Coast which sets standards for flotation devices on NZ beaches. The guide states "Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) recommends using Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) as a crucial method to decrease the number of drowning incidents in New Zealand's coastal and inland waterways. PRE serves as a rescue tool and personal flotation device for both rescuers and individuals in danger, especially when there is no other alternative but to enter the water for a rescue".
The guide also states "In New Zealand between 2013-2023, 100% of those individuals who died while attempting a bystander rescue did not carry any form of personal flotation device"
In March 2024 the name Operation Flotation was gifted to Surf Life Saving New Zealand to use as the name of their project to promote the installation of Public Rescue Equipment on all NZ beaches that need them. With the name change comes a variation in activities - our founder will work with SLSNZ, as a volunteer, on the new Operation Flotation; and Doubtless Bay Watch will focus on the same objectives for the communities of Doubtless Bay.
- lowering the number of drowning deaths by providing flotation devices at beaches
- providing other water safety equipment at these locations, as necessary
- raising funds for the two items above
- promoting the teaching of water safety
- working with, or affiliating to, other organisations with similar objectives
Since 2021 we have worked with Surf Life Saving New Zealand to create and support national guidelines for flotation devices, for NZ beaches. On 4 December 2023 they released A Guide to Public Rescue Equipment for the New Zealand Coast which sets standards for flotation devices on NZ beaches. The guide states "Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) recommends using Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) as a crucial method to decrease the number of drowning incidents in New Zealand's coastal and inland waterways. PRE serves as a rescue tool and personal flotation device for both rescuers and individuals in danger, especially when there is no other alternative but to enter the water for a rescue".
The guide also states "In New Zealand between 2013-2023, 100% of those individuals who died while attempting a bystander rescue did not carry any form of personal flotation device"
In March 2024 the name Operation Flotation was gifted to Surf Life Saving New Zealand to use as the name of their project to promote the installation of Public Rescue Equipment on all NZ beaches that need them. With the name change comes a variation in activities - our founder will work with SLSNZ, as a volunteer, on the new Operation Flotation; and Doubtless Bay Watch will focus on the same objectives for the communities of Doubtless Bay.
