Coastguard volunteers across the motu were kept on their toes over the weekend, responding to a string of emergencies that stretched from Northland to Banks Peninsula. From stranded vessels and urgent medevacs to capsized boats in rough seas, the incidents underscore both the unpredictable nature of boating and the critical role played by New Zealand’s trained volunteer Coastguard crews.
In several cases, quick thinking, strong teamwork, and fast deployment helped avoid serious injury or worse—highlighting why preparation, reliable communication, and knowing when to call for help remain essential for all who head out on the water.
Friday: Battery trouble, a missing diver, and a yellow kayak
For the Kawau Volunteer Coastguard crew, Friday was a busy day.
Mid-morning they had a call to assist a 5.3-metre trailer boat out of Sandspit that had broken down while fishing in Kawau Bay. The crew found two blokes on board who were new to the boat and struggling with what turned out to be a dodgy battery lead. A quick field repair and jump-start had them going again. Just as they pulled anchor and prepared to head off, the boat stalled once more—but a second start did the trick, and the crew escorted them safely back to Sandspit.
A little later in the morning, they received another call to rescue an 11-metre Pelin launch that had suffered engine failure at Great Barrier Island. The skipper wanted to get the boat all the way to Milford on Auckland’s North Shore. With strong easterlies forecast, Kawau’s rescue crew packed food and prepared for a long haul. The trip out took over two hours in rough conditions—more than double the usual time on a calm day.
They found the vessel with everyone in lifejackets, ready to be towed. But the first complication came quickly: the boat’s battery wasn’t strong enough to lift the anchor. With no way to recover it, the skipper dropped anchor and chain, hoping to recover it another day.
Once under tow, the Pelin towed “like a brick”—heavy and sluggish in the confused sea state. The crew made slow progress at about 7.5 knots. Then around 4:30pm, a powerful following wave parted the tow line’s fuse link. This deliberate weak point is designed to prevent dangerous shock loading. The crew sprang into action, re-rigging the tow with a spare fuse in trying conditions.
Speed was reduced to 5 knots and the towline shortened to improve control. By 7pm, they finally made it into the lee of Tiritiri Matangi and met up with Hibiscus Coastguard, who took over the final leg to Gulf Harbour. The Pelin was secured for the night, and Hibiscus completed the journey to Milford at 5am Saturday to catch the tide. Kawau’s crew didn’t return to base until 8:15pm—home by 9pm after nearly 10 hours on the water.
While the Pelin rescue was taking place, an urgent pager alert came in the early evening: a diver was reported missing off Mangawhai Heads. The remaining team mobilised immediately. Boat launched, heading north—but the diver was fortunately found before they arrived.
Further north, Coastguard Whangārei and the Northland Rescue Helicopter were called to assist a man in medical distress onboard a commercial fishing vessel 11km off Whangaruru Harbour. The man, in his 50s, was experiencing severe chest pains. Coastguard volunteers launched their vessel Circa Rescue, transferring the man from the fishing boat before rendezvousing with the rescue helicopter. The patient was winched from Circa Rescue and flown to hospital for treatment.
While some teams were battling conditions, Waiheke Volunteer Coastguard’s Bravo Crew, to the south, had a more educational day. With limited crew availability, Melita and Knut teamed up with experienced hands Marcus, John, and Lisa for a packed schedule. After a visit to the Marine Rescue Centre to see the radio room in action, they took five new radio operator recruits for a tour of the harbour. Lunch was followed by practical training—anchoring at Ocean Beach and towing exercises with Maraetai Rescue. A quick refuel at Pine Harbour, then back to Matiatia in time for dinner and a bit of rugby. A full day, expertly executed and rich in learning.
Meanwhile, the Thames Coastguard sent out a public appeal after a yellow kayak with fishing gear was found adrift two nautical miles north of Waikawau boat ramp. The situation raised concerns that someone might be missing. Coastguard urged anyone with information about the kayak or its possible owner to call *500.
Sunday: Little Barrier wouldn’t let go, and three rescued in rough conditions
The Kawau Volunteer Coastguard was back in action again on Sunday, as they were called to assist a 5-metre trailer boat experiencing fuel issues off the southeast coast of Little Barrier Island. Battling rough seas and poor communications, the crew couldn’t safely approach the boat, which was anchored near the surf line. Fortunately, the vessel’s crew managed to restart their engine by clearing an air lock just before their anchor failed. Coastguard escorted the boat into calmer waters, topped up their fuel, and placed a volunteer aboard to help. The group was safely guided back to Leigh. The mission wrapped up by 6:30pm, ending an eventful day.
While the Kawau Volunteer Coastguard were seeing action out near Little Barrier Island, Coastguard Sumner and Coastguard Canterbury worked alongside the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to rescue three men from a capsized vessel off Banks Peninsula.
The trio had been boating near Little Akaloa Heads when their engine failed, leaving them exposed to strong 20-knot easterly winds and heavy swells up to two metres. With their boat disabled and being pushed onto rocks, they issued a distress call a little after 1pm.
“The caller gave a good position and reported the boat had been forced onto a rocky shoreline,” said Coastguard Sumner skipper Anthony Honeybone. “Two of the group tried to make their way around the cliffs, while the third stayed near the vessel.”
Coastguard Sumner’s all-weather vessel Blue Arrow Rescue launched within 15 minutes with seven crew onboard, including a medic. They arrived on scene as the helicopter was winching one man from the rocks. The remaining two were rescued shortly after by Coastguard volunteers.
“They were shaken up and cold but otherwise uninjured,” said Honeybone. “They were assessed onboard and reunited with their family once we got them back to shore.”
Additional Coastguard vessels were stood down once all three men were confirmed safe. Honeybone praised the quick response of the rescue teams and the decisions made by the boaties. “It was rough out there, but they did the right thing by calling for help. Things go wrong—preparation is key.”
He reminded all boaties to wear lifejackets, carry two forms of waterproof communication, check the weather forecast, and log their trips. “Anyone can break down—it happens to the best of us. What matters is how prepared you are.”
Today (Monday 14 April): Sumner to the rescue again
Todayl, Coastguard Hawke’s Bay helped release a juvenile Titi (Cook’s Petrel) today, found inland at Lake Taupō after being blown off course. Following rehab at Wildbase Hospital, the seabird was returned to the wild with a bit of encouragement—ready to resume its vast ocean journey once more.
Then, Coastguard Sumner launched HamiltonJet Rescue at 5:23pm after reports of a surfer in distress off Cave Rock. A joint search with Surf Life Saving SAR found no one in trouble. Police stood down the operation. If in doubt, always call 111—it’s better to be safe.
Tuesday on: Weather warning for the remainder of this week
Typically as the school holidays are here, Metservice has provided us with a weather warning for the remainder of this week.
A slow-moving low-pressure system over the Tasman Sea is expected to bring several days of unsettled weather to many parts of New Zealand from Wednesday 16 April through Saturday 19 April. Heavy rain and strong easterlies are forecast, especially for the northern half of the North Island and parts of the upper South Island.
On Wednesday, a sub-tropical low will push moist easterlies over the northern North Island. There is high confidence of heavy rain and severe gale warnings being issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and western Bay of Plenty. Moderate to low confidence exists for warnings across Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay ranges, and eastern Waikato.
By Thursday, the low intensifies, continuing to affect the North Island with widespread rain and wind. High confidence exists for heavy rain and severe gales in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and parts of Bay of Plenty. Moderate to low confidence applies to Waikato, Taupō, Taranaki, and the lower North Island.
Friday’s pattern remains similar, with continued wet, windy conditions in the north and spreading effects southwards. Rain and wind watches remain likely for the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and northern Gisborne, with moderate confidence for Taranaki and Tasman District.
By Saturday, the system shifts south. Rain warnings remain possible for Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Nelson, and Tasman.
Information found from Coastguards all across New Zealand. Please take time to support them.
