Already this summer our news bulletins have been full of stories of people dying in the water, or surviving a close call.
There are happy endings of course...Just last night a man who was reported missing after he was seen swimming off Kaiti Beach in Gisborne was found safe and well - he hadn't realised there'd been a lengthy search for him.
With a long hot summer forecast and people flocking to beaches around the country cool off or head out on their boats, those involved with sea rescues are bracing themselves. With us now are Ray Burge (soft G) who's Operations Manager for Coastguard New Zealand and Belinda Slement from Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
Photo: Surf Life Saving New Zealand
