Experienced Coastguard volunteer Rosie Musters has won the top international award for an individual in Search and Rescue (SAR).
Experienced Coastguard volunteer Rosie Musters has won the top international award for an individual in Search and Rescue (SAR), recognising her outstanding contribution to Maritime SAR operations.
The award is one of five IMRF awards which recognise volunteer and professional SAR personnel from around the world who demonstrate an exceptional dedication to their communities, ready to help wherever they are needed.
For over 20 years at a national and local level, Rosie has made a significant volunteer contribution using her breadth of technical and operational expertise to enhance Coastguard’s training and SAR operations.
Told of her international accolade at Coastguard Nelson’s most recent training night, Rosie was overwhelmed by her surprise nomination and the efforts of her unit to get her recognised.
“I’m completely humbled, gobsmacked, astounded and lost for words. This would not be possible without having a whole dedicated team around me for so many years. They are like family to me – whether the local Nelson unit or Coastguard New Zealand as a whole, we’re an organisation that genuinely cares about its volunteers,” Rosie said.
“I’m honoured to receive this award on behalf of all volunteers who are all working towards a common cause as a team. We do this because it matters.”
In addition to her on-water volunteering, Rosie has spent close to a decade in the unit’s training role – a position that she has made her own alongside her other commitments. Rosie also continues to play an important role in the recruitment, training and mentoring of women and people of all ages at Coastguard Nelson – breaking down barriers and making the unit a more welcoming and diverse part of the local community.
Rosie was also a key part of Coastguard Nelson’s IMRF award-winning rescue of the yacht Ocean Gem and its 6-man crew in 2020. Rosie was duty officer and Coastguard Incident Manager for the duration of this long and taxing rescue. Her involvement began prior to midnight 18 March 2020 and continued until after the rescued vessel and its crew were safely towed into Port Nelson close to 20 hours later.
