Harbourmaster is doing a great job for community

It was very pleasing to read in our paper what Harbourmaster Peter Buell is prepared to do for our community.

I can speak from personal contact with him over the past few years. I am disabled and he went out of his way to help me get out on the water. Friends come and go but real friends last forever.

Peter has come from Canada where wildlife is protected seriously. This is another area he helps with. As Harbourmaster at Tauranga, he looked after our protected little blue penguins (korora).

Likewise he understood our wish to have a penguin sanctuary at Kaiti Beach, which surely Ngāti Oneone as guardians would agree to. Roaming dogs have killed many penguins in recent times. Jamie Quirk of DoC can tell you about all that.

Now Peter is helping ensure safety on the water. A bright orange gazebo will show where he is over summer, checking those going out on the water and sharing good information. Essentials are lifejackets at all times that fit right, and two-way radio contact by having more than just a boat radio when things go wrong.

A sincere and big thank you to Peter Buell from those who care about a sport that involves 1 million people in New Zealand who go fishing at least once a year.

ALAIN JORION