11.3m Naiad RIB ‘Kaikoura Rescue’

Purchased in December 2006 this Coastguard Rescue Vessel has was built specifically for Coastguard Kaikoura. It is powered by two Yanmar Turbo Diesel engines and two Hamilton Jet Units with Blue Arrow. Kaikoura Rescue has an average speed of 30 knots, a maximum speed of 36 knots and a range of 300 nautical miles. The launching trailer was built by Dunlea Products Ltd of Kaikoura.

 

We don’t do this to be rewarded

Coastguard Kaikoura’s 15 volunteer crew are well trained in search and rescue operations.

 

In the twelve months to 30 June 2011 the 15 volunteer crew members of Coastguard Kaikoura

• gave 3,507 hours of service
• spent 936 hours in search & rescue operations and 959 in training activities
• answered 9 calls for assistance from the public
• responded to 14 Police initiated search & rescue operations
• rescued 28 people

 

Since July 2011

Our Volunteers have

• given 1,619 hours of service
• spent 455 hours  in training activities and 196 hours in search and rescue operations
• responded to 2 assistance call from the public and 5 Police search and rescue operations
• rescued 12 people

 

 

Keeping our Community Promise – Saving lives at sea

The latest Search & Rescue operations undertaken by the volunteer crews of Coastguard Kaikoura are

 

flare sighted

Police received a report of a flare sighting from the Kaikoura Esplanade to the north estimated to be in the area between the Clarence and Rakauatra.  Kaikoura Rescue was launched to investigate along with a local helicopter.  After a two and a half hour search they were stood down with no sign of  a vessel in distress.

 

boat overturned

A small 3m boat was overturned by a wave and two people were clinging to it.  Kaikoura Rescue located and took them aboard towing the vessel out of the surf-zone to deeper water to effect the rescue.  They were taken to the marina at South Bay Kaikoura to be checked by ambulance officers and a doctor.  The boat was retrieved and returned to the marina slipway.

 

Snorlker missing

A snorkler was reported missing after two hours near the seal colony on the Kaikoura Peninsula.  Coastguard members using their own vessel and jet-ski as Kaikoura Rescue was out for maintenance.  The missing man was found and retuned to a grateful partner who had made the report.

 

Diver Missing

January 8, Very rough sea conditions caught out two men on a diving expedition north of the Kaikoura peninsula.  Kaikoura Rescue, Coastguard Kaikoura Air Patrol and a local helicopter were dispatched.  The dive boat was drifting north and the diver was located waving from St Kilda rocks.  Kaikoura Rescue picked up the diver and assisted with the recovery of the vessel with the one crew member on board.  All were returned safely to shore.

 

False Alarm

January 2, reports to Police of a vessel capsized and two people in the water north of the Kaikoura township resulted in the dispatch of Kaikoura Rescue and a helicopter.  No sign of a capsized vessel or people in the water.  Coastguard checked the two small aluminium vessels fishing and diving in the area and returned to base.

 

Dinghy Capsized

December 28, very rough seas and strong winds capsized a dinghy near Waipapa Bay, north of Kaikoura.  Kaikoura Rescue and a helicopter were dispatched to assist.  Four people were in the water attempting to swim to shore.  On arrival they found that one of the four had gotten into difficulties but his companions had manged to assist and were reviving him.  Coastguard retrieved the dinghy and returned to base.

 

Family reported missing

December 25, A family of four is reported missing after friends noticed their vehicle and boat trailer still parked near the Conway River mouth at 9pm.  Coastguard Kaikoura carried out a shoreline search followed by a coastal sea search.  The family were believed to be out in their inflatable kayak.  Westpac Rescue helicopter assisted with a shoreline search and Sumner Lifeboat was called out at midnight to assist due to concerns that the search are needed to be increased.  The Coastguard SAR advisor requested a land search and the local farmer found the family camping on his farm by the sea without permission.  The search was called off at 1.30am.

 

Craypot Boat Breaks Down

October 2010 a local runabout out checking craypots had engine failure and drifted ashore in increasing wind and sea conditions.  Coastguard Kaikoura towed the vessel and returned it to South Bay, Kaikoura.

 

 

Volunteer with Coastguard Kaikoura

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 Kaikoura could not operate without the continued, generous support of New Zealanders. 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 Kaikoura in the message section. Thank you for your support.

 

Where we come from

Coastguard Kaikoura was started in 1968 as the Kaikoura Lifeboat Institution Inc.