Coastguard West Coast took delivery of its new rescue vessel ‘Ivan Talley Rescue’ on Monday 15th December. Four professional volunteers flew to Auckland and brought the vessel down the west coast of New Zealand arriving in Greymouth on Tuesday 16th December to a warm welcome from local Coastguard members. Doug Griffin, Coastguard West Coast crew member said “It was a fantastic trip, the vessel performed really well and we had some interesting weather and sea conditions which enabled us to test it well on the trip”.

Coastguard West Coast held the official launch of the new Ivan Talley Rescue on 28th February and a good crowd of over 50 local sponsors, SAR Partners, supporters, friends and family attended. The dangerous Grey River bar was decidedly tame and visitors were most impressed with the vessel when given the opportunity to ride out to sea in her.