8.5m Rayglass Protector RIB ‘Timaru Rescue’

We don’t do this to be rewarded

The Coastguard South Canterbury volunteer crew are well trained in search and rescue operations.

In the twelve months to 30 June 2010 the 7 professional volunteers of Coastguard South Canterbury

• gave 572 hours of service
• spent 36 hours in search & rescue operations and 401 in training activities
• answered 2 calls for assistance from the public
• responded to 1 Police initiated search & rescue operations
• rescued 11 people

Since July 2010

Our Volunteers have

• given 40 hours of service
• spent 28 hours  in training activities and 4 hours in search and rescue operations
• Answered 1 assistance call
• rescued 1 person

Keeping our Community Promise – Saving lives at sea

The latest Search & Rescue operations involving Coastguard South Canterbury are

Hoax Call to Waitaki River Mouth

March 2010 Coastguard South Canterbury sent a volunteer crew of four in Timaru Rescue to the Waitaki River mouth in response to a distress call by VHF radio picked up by the Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre.  The radio call indicated there were 4 people in a life raft  after a fire on a boat.  On arrival at the scene they were advised that it had been determined that this a hoax call.

Coastguard volunteers left their employment to respond to this call and travelled for 5 hours in Timaru Rescue in rough seas, speed of 25 knots going South and 10 knots on the return leg.  Coastguard volunteers generously put their lives at risk to save lives at sea and a hoax call of this nature is not appreciated.

Sea Scout Cutter Capsizes

25 October on Lake Aviemore during a training exercise the Sea Scout cutter capsized with 6 people on board.  Timaru Rescue held the vessel to the wind to assist with righting it and stood by until the situation was stable.

Fleeing cow takes a swim

17^th January a young cow being unloaded at the Port of Timaru broke away, ran down the rock wall beside the moored boats and jumped off the wharf. and ended up doggy-paddling out to sea. The cattle were being taken from Pitt Island to Temuka. Coastguard South Canterbury roped a floating device around the cow’s neck to prevent her from drowning and towed her to the beach at Evans Bay. She was caught by animal control officers from the Timaru District Council.

Diver lost after visiting Holmglen shipwreck

After diving the shipwreck of the Holmglen 17km off the coast of Timaru diver Kevin Bailey of Blenheim failed to surface with his two diving companions on 10 November. Coastguard South Canterbury were tasked by Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) and enlisted the assistance of two private vessels, one fishing boat and two port company vessels. The search was undertaken using a ‘line abreast’ technique within the search area provided by the RCC. The search continued until 5.30 with no sign of the diver being found. Mr Bailey’s body was found by a fishing vessel some days later.

Volunteer with Coastguard South Canterbury

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 South Canterbury 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 South Canterbury in the message section. Thank you for your support.

Where we come from

Coastguard South Canterbury was started in 1994.