COASTGUARD Ōpōtiki is “ecstatic” about a new harbour camera system that has virtually dropped into their – and everybody else’s – lap.

“We are getting a free harbour camera and the ratepayers don’t even have to fork out for it,” Coastguard Ōpōtiki secretary Pauline Bradley said.

“It’s great and these guys are going to look after it  - we’re ecstatic about it.”

Originally from Ōpōtiki, but now living in Pongakawa where he has an earthmoving business, Brandon Crowley said the Outdoor Access company’s North Island cameras were turned on last week.

Outdoor Access is a live-streaming network that was started in 2020 by a couple of mates in the South Island, Brett Colgan and Nigel Cromie, who are passionate about waterways and water safety.

The purpose of the network is for people to be able to view the weather conditions of rivers, lakes and coastal locations on a live platform that streams high-definition, real-time footage.

Mr Crowley said he has partnered up with Taupo-based jet-boat builder George Ward and together they would own and manage the Outdoor Access network in the North Island.

“We do it all ourselves, work with the local coastguard, talk to landowners, design and install the camera systems,” he said.

For a fee of $12 per month – or $120 annually – an Outdoor Access user has access to all cameras in the network.

Each camera is set to a pre-programmed loop, panning and zooming across the covered area to give the best information.

“The coastguard will have free access and they will even be able to control the camera at their location in an emergency,” Mr Crowley said.

“The system does not record the footage – that would be a different kettle of fish entirely – we’re not a security company and no footage is retained.”

In the North Island, there are cameras covering the Ōpōtiki Harbour, Hicks Bay, Lottin Point, the Maketu bar, Waihau Bay and Whanarua Bay.

With plans to install cameras at Ōhiwa, Thornton, Lake Rotoma and Rotoiti, Mr Crowley said he was keen to hear from any Ōhiwa landowner with an elevated location suitable for a camera system.

“We’re also making a trip to the Coromandel – we have a big vision,” he said.

Mr Crowley said it was not unheard of for long-distance travellers to arrive at a location where they planned to fish, only to learn that the conditions were far worse than they had anticipated.

“They might say – well, now that were here, we might as well carry on.”

This way of thinking could lead to seafarers and fishermen taking much greater risks than they normally would.

“Thus, this system can not only save you from an unneccessary trip – it can also save lives.”