Hamilton Jet Rescue

5.8m Hamilton Jet specifically constructed for the local surf conditions in the Sumner area.

 

Blue Arrow Rescue

12.5m ‘Sumner Class’ Slipway Launched Fast Response Lifeboat.

 

Visit Sumner Lifeboat’s website

 

We don’t do this to be rewarded

Coastguard’s Sumner Lifeboat 27 volunteer crew are well trained in search and rescue operations.

 

Since July 2012

Our Volunteers have

• given 4,781 hours of service
• spent 1,870 hours in training activities and 138 hours in search and rescue operations
• Responded to 16 Police initiated search and rescue operations and 2 public assist operations
• 25 people have been rescued by Sumner Lifeboat volunteers

 

In the twelve months to 30 June 2012 the volunteer crew members of Coastguards Sumner Lifeboat

• gave 6,908 hours of service
• spent 330 hours in search & rescue operations and 3,432 in training activities
• answered 7 calls for assistance from the public
• responded to 16 Police initiated search & rescue operations
• rescued 37 people

 

Keeping our Community Promise – Saving lives at sea

Recent Maritime Search & Rescue operations involving Sumner Lifeboat are

 

 

yacht grounded

The Harbourmaster requested Sumner Lifeboat volunteers to try and tow a grounded boat in Moncks Bay on Friday.   The boat had broken its morring and run aground near Shag Rock.   After several attempts they were unable to move it from the mud.  The owner was eventually contacted and arranged for friends to try on tow it on Sunday with two small boats.  Sumner Lifeboat stood by to assist if necessary.   One of the vessels capsized putting two people into the water and Coastguard volunteers rescued them.  The tow was abandoned at dark as they were also unable to shift the boat.  Hamilton Jet rescue uplifted the remaining people from the boat and took them to shore.

 

Missing kayaker

A man went kayaking on 26 August, leaving his vehicle at Wainui Beach, Akaroa and has not been seen since.  Coastguard units were activated around 1430 on 27th August – Blue Arrow Rescue and Pub Charity Canterbury Rescue were deployed to Akaroa to start a search.  Coastguard Canterbury Air Patrol and a helicopter also searched the peninsula area.  Later on Hamilton Jet Rescue was sent out to search bays closer to Adderley Head, Lyttelton.  Searching continued until 1900 when darkness made this impossible.  Shortly after Police managed to raise the man on his cellphone and found that he was safe and well on a bus back to his home.  He had kayaked from Akaroa to Lyttelton on a two day planned trip.  The confusion was created as he had not left any trip report or way of contacting him.  Coastguard volunteers arrived back in Lyttelton at 21.45.

 

Tug sinking

Blue Arrow Rescue was sent along with Coastguard Canterbury’s Pub Charity Canterbury Rescue to rescue the tug Rakanui which was taking on water off Leighfield Beach in Pegasus Bay.  The Coastguard crews pumped the water out of the tug until it was able to make way safely to Lyttelton.

 

rubber dinghy blown offshore

A report to Police of a rubber dinghy seen being blown offshore from South Brighton saw Hamilton Jet Rescue and Southern Trust Rescue responding. The dinghy was located out from Sumner Head and Police confirmed that two people were on shore safe and well.

 

Jet-ski capsize

2 two people in the water after a Jet-ski capsized in the surf zone off Cave Rock.  Unable to restart the jet-ski a report was made to Police who tasked Sumner Lifeboat.  Hamilton Jet Rescue was launched and arrived as the jet-ski and people were washed ashore.  Ascertaining that all was well they returned to base.

 

December 2010 a busy month

4th December windsurfer being blown out to sea rescued, called to assist with diver drowning.

19 December Standby for missing boogie boarder, found safe and well

22 December Standby for missing swimmer on Sumner beach, found safe and well

24 December Standby for kayaker in trouble on Estuary, safe and well stood down

25 December 9pm family reported missing Kaikoura area, Coastguard Kaikoura searching, 12pm called to assist as search area being widened, Blue Arrow steaming to area, 1.30pm stood down family found safe and well on shore.

29 December Object sighted in water off beach, Hamilton Jet Rescue search using white  parachute  illuminating flares but unable to find anything.  Stood down by Police.

 

Volunteer with Coastguard Sumner Lifeboat

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

Sumner Lifeboat could not operate without the continued, generous support of New Zealanders.

 

The following local businesses and organisations have given generously to support us.

• Hamilton Jet
• Lyttelton Port Company
• Christchurch City Council
  

 

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 Sumner Lifeboat in the message section. Thank you for your support.

 

 

Where we come from

Sumner Lifeboat dates its inception to the arrival of ‘Rescue’ in 1898 and is the oldest of the Coastguard units. In 1904 the Sumner Lifeboat Institution was created and assumed responsibility for maritime rescues off Sumner from the harbour board. Joseph Day became the first Coxswain and continued to rescue people until his retirement in December 1912, he died four months later. The first powered lifeboat was obtained in 1930, the first radio in 1958 and first GPS tracking system in 2002. Sumner Lifeboat has never lost a crew member and volunteerism remains the essential credo.