8.5M Naiad RIB Jet ‘Queenstown Airport Rescue’

In March 2008 this Coastguard Rescue Vessel came into service on Lake Wakitipu and is on loan from Coastguard New Zealand. Powered by an inboard jet unit it was originally in service with Coastguard Cape Egmont.

 

Visit Coastguard Queenstown’s website

 

We don’t do this to be rewarded

Coastguard Queenstown’s 29 volunteer crew are well trained in search and rescue operations.

 

Since July 2012

Our Volunteers have

• given 1,764 hours of service
• spent 1,153 hours in training activities and 33 hours in search and rescue operations
• Responded to 4 Police initiated search and rescue operations and 2 public assistance calls
• rescued 8 people

 

In the twelve months to 30 June 2012 the volunteers of Coastguard Queenstown

• gave 3,058 hours of service
• spent 21 hours in search & rescue operations and 1,978 in training activities
• answered 4 calls for assistance from the public
• responded to 3 Police initiated search & rescue operations
• rescued 9 people

 

Keeping our Community Promise – Saving lives at sea

The latest Search & Rescue operations carried out by  Coastguard Queenstown volunteer crews are

 

sailing Dinghy capsize

While out training Coastguard Queenstown volunteers noticed an capsized dinghy with a young person sitting atop it.  Upon reaching him they found that the mast had snapped and he was mildly hypothermic.  Assisting him aboard Queenstown Airport Rescue, they wraped him in a blanket and give him a hat to assist with warming.  A line was attached to the dinghy and it was towed to a private jetty. 

 

 

At risk missing person

Police suspected that a disturbed  missing person may have been on the foreshore areas or upper reaches of the Kawarau River.  Coastguard Queenstown volunteers were asked to search the area, but as they launched there was a possible sighting on the foreshore of Queenstown Gardens.  Proceeding to the area and beginning a shoreline search they were stood down as the Police had located the person in the gardens.

 

Paraponter in water

Police received a report of a paraponter in the water on Lake Wakatipu near Hidden Island. Queenstown Airport Rescue was launched and enroute when it was ascertained that the person had come ashore in a dinghy that he had sensibly arranged to assist for this eventuality.

 

Jet Skis collide on Kawarau River

December 25, two jet skis collide with significant damage to one and injury to one driver, who reported the other missing when he recovered from the crash and was unable to find his mate.  Two commercial jet boats and a helicopter were used in the search along the river.  The injured man was taken to hospital.  The Police located the second jet skier at home with a conflicting story.  The searchers were stood down. Coastguard Queenstown recovered the damaged jet ski.

 

Boat hits rock

December 31, Police receive a 111 call reporting a vessel sinking between Kelvin Peninsula and Jacks Point, Lake Wakatipu.  Coastguard Queenstown volunteers were out training and responded.  The vessel had hit a rock and sheared off the leg of the 200hp outboard motor.  The two men on board had been pushed to shore by the wind and were safe.  Queenstown Airport Rescue towed the vessel to shore where the owners bailed it out and then towed it back to the Frankton marina.

 

Tourists die in tragic kayak accident

6 December 2010 two 20 year old French men returning to Queenstown across Lake Wakatipu in an open kayak contact a local Para flight operator who had earlier warned them about expected bad weather and offered assistance.  They reported they were sinking in the middle of the lake.  Police tasked Coastguard Queenstown to search for them and Queenstown Airport Rescue with 6 volunteer crew aboard set out at 22.20 and began a search at 22.30.  The weather was 25knot Southerly, the lake was rough with a 1 meter slop and very dark with cloud cover.  The water temperature was 10C.  Three local commercially operated boats also joined the search along with a helicopter. 00.50 the helicopter spotted a black bag floating in the water, and shortly afterwards the two young men were found.  The Coastguard crew took them aboard their vessel and commenced CPR, continuing this until they arrived at Sunshine Bay where St John Ambulance and a doctor pronounced them dead.  Coastguard extends our sympathy to the family and friends of these young men lost so tragically.

 

 

Volunteer with Coastguard Queenstown

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 Queenstown could not operate without the continued, generous support of New Zealanders. We acknowledge the special relationship we have with Queenstown Airport Company without whose generous support we could not operate. We are proud to also acknowledge the support from our Patron, Grant Dalton.

 

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 Queenstown in the message section. Thank you for your support.

 

Where we come from

Coastguard Queenstown was started in 2007 in response to requests for the development of a well trained and professionally organised service to replace the adhoc system which called around looking for an available boat. A small but enthusiastic group formed and began fundraising and training to be ready for the delivery of their Coastguard Rescue Vessel in March 2008.