Support your local Surf Life Saving club to win a new BP rescue boat

Six Surf Life Saving Clubs from across the country are asking beach lovers to get online and help them win a new $25,000 Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB).

The orange inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) are familiar sights at beaches across the country and help save hundreds of lives every year. Last year alone, lifeguards across the country saved 1,027 lives - about 60% of those were using an IRB.

BP Oil NZ will provide two new boats - one in the North Island and one in the South Island - to the two clubs that generate the most votes.

To enter the competition, the clubs wrote to BP explaining how the community would benefit from a new IRB. Each club has aging boats - one doesn't have one at all - and it's difficult for voluntary clubs to raise funds alone.

The six finalists are now working hard to drum up votes. Each has had a video produced explaining their story and why they deserve to win - and now it's up to the public to decide.

The six finalist clubs are:
From the North Island: Ngāti Porou, Pauanui, Otaki
From the South Island: South Brighton, Warrington and Brighton

"Every summer, around 4,000 volunteer lifeguards from the 74 Surf Life Saving Clubs patrol our beaches, and these trusty orange boats are an essential part of our rescue equipment," said Surf Life Saving New Zealand CEO Paul Dalton. "We've been partnering with BP for over 45 years, and through their support, we've been able to build up one of the most advanced rescue fleets in the world."

"These boats work hard, and new boats are a significant investment. So the chance to win a free one would be like Christmas coming early for these communities."

BP spokesman Jonty Mills said the company was proud of the role IRBs played in their communities.

"These boats can be the difference between life and death. Once someone's in trouble in the water, the lifeguards know they have about three minutes to get to them. These IRBs get them out beyond the waves and to their rescue amazingly quickly."

"They're incredibly important, but we also know it's really difficult for voluntary clubs to raise the funds for a new boat. That's why we're so pleased to be able to offer two clubs the chance to win. We'd urge everyone to get online, watch the videos, and vote for their favourite club. This boat might just save your life this summer."

To watch the videos and vote, go to www.clickforyourclub.co.nz. Winners will be announced 17 November.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Ph 0276 488 823

Jonty Mills, Communications and External Affairs Manager, BP Oil NZ
Ph 0272 867 435