8.5m Naiad RIB ‘NZAS Rescue’

 

We don’t do this to be rewarded

Coastguard Bluff’s 20 volunteers are skilled and highly trained in marine search and rescue techniques.

 

In the twelve months to 30 June 2011 the 20 volunteer crew members of Coastguard Bluff

• gave 1,1911 hours of service to the community
• spent 260 hours in search & rescue operations and 561 in training activities
• answered 9 calls for assistance from the public
• responded to 6 Police initiated search & rescue operations
• rescued 13 people

 

Since July 2011

Our Volunteers have

• given 997 hours of service
• spent 366 hours  in training activities and 58 hours on search and rescue missions
• responded to 2 Police search and rescue taskings and 6 assistance call from the public
• 4 people have been rescued

 

Keeping our Community Promise – Saving lives at sea

Coastguard Bluff concentrates on regular patrols on weekends, on hand for the increasing number of recreational boaties in the area. Recent Search & Rescue operations involving Coastguard Bluff are

 

Starter Motor problems

January NZAS Rescue with 5 volunteer crew aboard assisted the 20m Altego which was having starter motor problems off Bird Island in the Foveaux Strait.  Coastguard Bluff towed the vessel to safety.

 

 

Volunteer with Coastguard Bluff

Saving lives creates a special camaraderie that is unique to those who have experienced it. But in typical Kiwi fashion, our crew’s prefer to remain humble about it. If you are prepared to put in the time and effort to be a Coastguard Professional Volunteer contact us by email.

 

We don’t do this alone

Coastguard Bluff could not operate without the continued, generous support of New Zealanders.

 

Two special supporters are

• New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited
• Kaye’s

 

To make a donation and join our team in saving lives at sea please use the ‘Donate Now’ button above to access our donations page and indicate Coastguard Bluff in the message section. Thank you for your support.

 

Where we come from

Coastguard Bluff was officially started in 1998 under the name ‘Southern Volunteer Coastguard Inc” by a local group of commercial fishermen to assist vessels the Foveaux Strait area. In 2001 a benefactor in Auckland donated a 12.5m rayglass protector vessel which was renamed NZAS Rescue in acknowledgement of the generous sponsorship of NZ Aluminium Smelters based at Tiwai Point. The vessel was repowered with new outboard engines, the electronics upgraded and a modified enclosed wheelhouse and cabin heater added to suit local conditions.  In Novermber 2009 the rayglass was replaced with a 8.5m Naiad with assistance from Coastguard New Zealand.  This vessel will be used temporarily until plans for a new ‘fit for purpose’ rescue vessel suit to conditions in Foveaux Strait come to fruition.