Currently the volunteers of Coastguard Wanaka Lakes are using designated personal vessels for search and rescue operations and training.  We are working hard to raise funds to be able to have a dedicated rescue vessel.

WE DON’T DO THIS TO BE REWARDED

Coastguard Wanaka Lakes 29 volunteer crew are well trained in search and rescue operations.

 

SINCE JULY 2012

Our Volunteers have

• given 770 hours of service
• spent 532 hours in training activities and 18 hours on search & rescue missions
• responded to 1 Police initiated search and rescue operation
• assisted with 1 call from the public for help
• rescued 2 people

 

In the twelve months to 30 June 2012 the volunteer crew members of Coastguard Wanaka Lakes

• gave 1,071 hours of service
• spent 581 hours in search & rescue operations and 346 in training activities
• answered 5 call for assistance from the public
• responded to 2 Police initiated search & rescue operations, a 18% increase over last year
• rescued 13 people

 

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY PROMISE – SAVING LIVES AT SEA

The latest Search & Rescue operations involving Coastguard Wanaka Lakes volunteer crew are

 

Yachtsman lost overboard

17th November Wanaka yachthign identidy Trevor Hawke was lost overboard from a yacht on Lake Wanaka.  Coastguard Wanaka Lakes volunteers spent 201 hours searching for him over 4 days using three vessels.   Police dive squad was called in and also failed to locate him.  Sunday 27th November the Navy located his body using  Remis at a depth of 47m and he was brought back to his family.  Our condolences.

 

 Kayaker missing lake hawea

August 2011 a young German man working in the Lake Hawea township borrows a kayak and sets off across the lake.   When he didn’t report for work that night the Police were contacted and a search began.  Coastguard Lake Wanaka volunteers searched the lake for three days along with local Land SAR volunteers and a helicopter.  They borrowed kayak was located along with a paddle and a shoe believed to belong to the missing man.  Unfortunately no sing was found of Rene Weissange.  Our sympathy to his family and friends.

 

 

VOLUNTEER WITH COASTGUARD Wanaka Lakes

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 Wanaka Lakes 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 Wanaka Lakes in the message section. Thank you for your support.

 

WHERE WE COME FROM

Coastguard Wanaka Lakes was officially started in mid 2011 when Coastguard New Zealand welcomed them into the Coastguard federation.