Food Drop for New Zealand Kayaker

Food drop for trans-Tasman kayaker

We are learning to make inferences in text.

9:59 AM Friday Jun 20, 2014

An urgent aid mission will get underway today to drop vital supplies to a kayaker attempting a solo trip across the Tasman Sea.


Scott Donaldson, left from Coffs Harbour, north of Sydney and was now about 500km of New Zealand's coastline, Radio New Zealand reported.


The 43-year-old from Hamilton has run dangerously low on supplies after his trip was delayed by rough weather and technical issues.


Mr Donaldson's wife Sarah has asked Taupo rescue pilot John Fennell to make a drop of much needed supplies.


Mr Fennell told RNZ Mr Donaldson had a radio but he would still be trying to find a small speck in a big ocean.


"The trick is actually getting the container of contents down right in front of him or beside him and they're in a little parachute so we've got to be very accurate.

"It will be a bit of a challenge for us," Mr Fennell said.


Mr Donaldson's wife Sarah said she was very concerned for her husband's wellbeing."
[He's] dangerously low on food...the water, he can actually hand pump the water, but it's really about the weather conditions and the lack of solar that feeds the desalinator that converts the salt water to fresh water," she told RNZ.


Ms Donaldson said a text from her husband last night said he was looking forward to the supply drop and looked forward to spotting the plane.


He was "very tough mentally" and was looking forward to finishing the voyage in a couple of weeks in Taranaki, she said.


Mr Donaldson had been at sea since April 19.


The trip was a "long time coming" and had required an enormous amount of planning, Ms Donaldson said.


"He's very keen to get such a large venture under his belt, he's very keen to knock off something this big."


Source: New Zealand Herald

Which Basic Facts are important to learn?

Woman flees for her life

Woman fled for her life from falling cliff

"I looked at my son and screamed at him to run." 

 

Lynzie Moseling ran for her life as a massive slice of crumbling coastal cliff came crashing down toward her.

The Hawera woman, along with her 16-year-old son Cory Oldfield, were enjoying a peaceful stroll along Waihi Beach when the wall of rock and sodden mud stopped them dead in their tracks on Wednesday.

"We were looking at shells and we both looked up at the same time because there was a rumble," she said. "We both saw the whole top of the cliff just slide.

"I looked at my son and screamed at him to run.

"I have not run that fast in a very, very long time."

Moseling said it felt like the whole cliff was chasing them.

"The noise was horrendous, it was just like being in a movie.

"I didn't know how much of the cliff was going to come down so we just kept running."

Finally feeling like they were far enough away the pair took stock.

"My son doesn't know how close he was to getting killed that day - but I do.

"I didn't sleep that night because if I hadn't left a note at home no one would have known where we were."

Moseling now has a simple message for people walking near those cliffs.

"Stay as far away as possible."

South Taranaki District Council properties and facilities manager John Sargeant said the landslide was a timely reminder the west coast cliffs were prone to collapse.

"People need to ensure that they stay away from the cliff face at all times," he said.

"This is particularly true for children hunting for fossils and shells."

Sargeant said because of the dynamic nature of the coastline, erosion was a natural occurrence often causing many tonnes of rock and mud to fall onto the beach without warning.

"The dangers of cliff erosion are signposted at Waihi and Ohawe as well as along areas where the coast is more prone to erosion such as Opunake.

"Where cliff falls do occur it is council policy to let nature do the clean-up work where high tides and currents will eventually wash the debris away."

- Taranaki Daily News

 

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Show not tell from Brendon Anderson

CHARLOTTE CURD/Fairfax NZ

SEAL ATTACK: The seal which left an elderly man seriously injured after an attack on New Plymouth's Coastal Walkway this morning.

'Blood everywhere' in seal attack

 The elderly man attacked by a seal on a New Plymouth walkway today is in a stable condition in hospital.

A trail of blood was left on New Plymouth's Coastal Walkway this morning when the animal lunged at the 85-year-old man, who had been walking near the Belt Road Motor Camp at about 8.15am.

He was left with a serious leg injury and was treated by St John paramedics at the scene.

He was then transported to Taranaki Base Hospital in a serious condition.

Armed police provided a protective barrier while the man was treated.

According to the Department of Conservation an adult female New Zealand fur seal can weigh up to 50kg and a male 150kg.

Eyewitness Kevin Harvey, of New Plymouth, said the seal also lunged at him as he ran past.

He saw people attending a man on the ground and thought it must have been a cyclist who had come off.

''There was blood on the ground everywhere and obviously [the seal] had attacked the walker.''

He threw a few stones at the seal in an attempt to scare it back onto the rocks.

Harvey said he's seen seals on the walkway before.

''They usually come towards you a bit then back off, but he just kept on coming.''

The Department of Conservation recommends the following to ensure your safety around seals:
* Always stay at least 10m away.
* Do not disturb seals. Don't make loud noises or throw objects near them.
* Keep dogs and children under control around seals.
* Never attempt to handle seals as they can be aggressive.
* Do not drive vehicles any closer than 50m from seals.
* Flies are often attracted to the natural secretions around the eyes of seals. This does not mean the seal is sick and is not a cause for concern.
* It is natural for mothers to leave their pups alone while they return to sea to forage. Please do not disturb or move solitary pups.
* If you are concerned about the safety of a seal, please contact the Department of Conservation immediately on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

- Taranaki Daily News

Other related readings:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10108259/DOC-and-armed-police-guard-attack-seal

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10108917/Man-attacked-by-seal-expected-to-recover

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10109594/Seal-victims-fitness-saves-day