The Coastguard volunteer crews risk everything to save lives

Here’s how you can support them

Please help our brave crews to continue their lifesaving work

When people get into difficulties on the water, they call on Coastguard. And since 1861 when the first report of a lifeboat being used appeared in the Lyttelton Times, our Coastguard Rescue Vessels have saved thousands of lives. However, we can only carry out our lifesaving work thanks to the generosity of people like you.

In fact, we need our supporters to contribute to the staggering $24,600 per day it takes to run our essential service nationwide. Without your donations, we simply couldn’t continue with our 264 launches in the Southern Region last year.

All they ask for is the right equipment

Coastguard Professional Volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – ready to drop everything and risk their lives to save others. Our volunteers don’t get paid for the vital service they provide. What they do get however, is the best boats, equipment, clothing and training we can provide to carry out their lifesaving work.

• $60.50 will pay for a pair of non-slip sea-boots (essential when huge waves are crashing onto the deck of a rescue vessel)
• $105 buys a Pager, which all operational crew carry to alert them to a marine emergency
• $160 will provide a volunteer crew member with a lifejacket (it is mandatory for everyone on a Coastguard Rescue Vessel to wear a lifejacket at all times)
• $320 is the cost of a VHF radio so our crew can keep in touch with shore base and talk to boaties on the water
• $602 will give our volunteers the added protection of a survival suit to keep them warm in the often freezing conditions
• $993 will cover the search and rescue, boat handling and other training courses our Professional Volunteers go through to achieve their Certificate of Competency qualification and become a ‘skipper’ on a Coastguard Rescue Vessel.

So your donation really can make sure our brave crew are prepared when they are called upon.

Becoming a Coastguard Supporter is a way to help for those of us who can only imagine what its like to battle 3m breaking seas in darkness to find a person lost at sea,  or to jump into the sea and rescue a casualty clinging to a sinking boat. You’ll receive an introductory information pack on Coastguard and every three months a complimentary copy of our newsletter. From time to time we will contact you with special information on other opportunities to get involved with Coastguard.

Joining is easy

1. Just fill in the form below and submit to Coastguard Southern Region
2. Make your donation using the ‘Donate Now’ button above.

You can opt to specifically support a particular Coastguard Unit in your area or anywhere within the Southern Region, or leave it to us to use your donation to assist those areas most in need.