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Story: Search and rescue

Wellington’s first airborne life raft

Wellington’s first airborne life raft

From left: Wellington Search and Rescue personnel R. A. Mackay, C. K. Watson, W. G. L. Barrell, Captain G. Henry and Inspector I. Croxford display the first air-drop life raft to be used in the Wellington region, in December 1973. Inflatable life rafts that could be dropped from planes were introduced in New Zealand in the early 1970s. They made it possible to help people in trouble at sea, if they could not be reached quickly by boat or helicopter.

About this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1973/5393/8A

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick. 'Search and rescue', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/search-and-rescue/5/2