The past month has tested the skill and commitment of the Raglan Volunteer Coastguard, with a series of complex, challenging rescues along the Waikato coastline. “In the past 12 months, Raglan Volunteer Coastguard has responded to 58 incidents, safely bringing 100 people home,” says volunteer crew member Harry Series. “Our dedicated volunteers have contributed over 8,000 hours of service during that time. We are ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, day or night.”
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To support Raglan Volunteer Coastguard’s new boat appeal, visit their website or get in touch directly via raglancoastguard@gmail.com.
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Operating around the clock, every day of the year, this dedicated team of volunteers is often called out in the dead of night and in dangerous conditions to bring others home safely. Each mission is a reminder of the risks that come with boating in this high-stakes environment, and of the crucial role Coastguard Raglan plays in keeping the community safe.
Their area of operation is one of the most dynamic and unforgiving marine environments in the country. Stretching from Port Waikato to Mokau, their patch includes the infamous Raglan Bar — a narrow harbour entrance notorious for steep, breaking waves and powerful tidal flows. “The Raglan Bar, in particular, is a challenging and dynamic navigational passage that must be approached with caution,” explains Series. “We advise avoiding crossings within two hours either side of low tide, and always checking the tide, swell, and wind conditions.”
The dangers are real — and increasing. “This boating season alone, we’ve responded to six capsize incidents, an unusually high number compared to previous years. It does represent an increase, particularly in this type of event, though the reasons behind this trend aren’t yet clear.”
What is clear is that preparation and safety gear matter. Series describes three recent incidents — all within the same month — that involved small vessels capsizing in well-known surf zones. “All three recent incidents, on Thursday 8th May, Sunday 11th May, and Sunday 25th May, involved vessels five metres or under, capsizing in well-known surf zones. The consistent message across these rescues is the importance of preparation and situational awareness.”
Rescue 1: Remote cliffside retrieval – Thursday, 8 May 2025
At 8:00pm on Thursday 8th May, Coastguard volunteers were paged to Whale Bay. A small boat began taking on water before capsizing near Whale Bay. Two people who had been onboard were reported stranded near Woody Head, a notoriously hazardous spot. In worsening sea conditions and falling darkness, Rescue Jetski’s Rylock Waikato Rescue I and II launched with jet ski crews, followed by Gallagher Rescue and seven more volunteers. After a coastal sweep, a faint light revealed the pair’s location on rocks. A swimmer from the Coastguard team entered the surf to reach them. While they were cold but uninjured, extraction was impossible without aerial support. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter winched both to safety after seven gruelling hours.
The operation highlighted the seamless collaboration between agencies — and just how close this incident came to tragedy.
Rescue 2: Bar crossing gone wrong – Sunday, 11 May 2025
Just three days later, the crew were back in action. At 11:21am, a Coastguard volunteer spotted a boat failing to cross the Raglan Bar. Rylock Rescue teams launched within minutes, arriving to find four people clinging to a chilly bin 800 metres behind the bar. A teenager was in critical condition and rushed to shore; the remaining three were collected by Gallagher Rescue and assessed by Hato Hone St John.
The vessel had sunk. No bar crossing trip report had been filed. Lifejackets were absent. “It was that immediate call that made all the difference,” said Skipper Lee Poolton. On the return journey, the team even spotted and rescued a surfer caught in a rip — an unexpected bonus rescue on an already intense day.
Rescue 3: Third capsize in less than three weeks – Sunday, 25 May 2025
On a blustery morning, a capsized vessel near Whale Bay prompted yet another callout. Three people were found clinging to rocks 1.5km south of the bay. With worsening swell and difficult terrain, both a Coastguard swimmer and Surf Lifesaving personnel were deployed. Westpac Rescue Helicopter was again brought in to extract the group. This time, all three were wearing lifejackets — and credited them with saving their lives.
Series adds to the rescue efforts: “A crucial lesson from the 25th May rescue is that emergency equipment is only effective if you can access it. An EPIRB is an excellent tool, but if it’s stowed in the vessel and you’re separated from it, it can’t help you. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or handheld VHF radio attached to your lifejacket ensures you can call for help even if you’re no longer on board.”
Takeaways
In the first two cases, lifejackets were absent — with serious consequences. “Individuals were not wearing life jackets, a decision that contributed to serious medical outcomes in one instance, including one person in a critical condition. In contrast, those rescued on the 25th credited their life jackets with saving their lives until help could arrive.”
Even equipment like EPIRBs can be ineffective if not accessible. “An EPIRB is an excellent tool, but if it’s stowed in the vessel and you’re separated from it, it can’t help you,” Series warns. “A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or handheld VHF radio attached to your lifejacket ensures you can call for help even if you’re no longer on board.”
Series adds further: “Understanding your surroundings is essential when on the water. The west coast is renowned for its rugged conditions and consistent swell, which can change quickly and catch people off guard. Just because the sea is calm one day doesn’t mean it will be the next.
The Raglan Bar, in particular, is a challenging and dynamic navigational passage that must be approached with caution. We advise avoiding crossings within two hours either side of low tide, and always checking the tide, swell, and wind conditions. Boaties should also be prepared for the ‘joggle’ — the narrowest part of the harbour mouth — where strong currents and opposing winds can create rough, uncomfortable seas.
Always log a bar crossing with Coastguard on Maritime VHF Channel 2 (Raglan) and wear your lifejacket.”
Raglan Volunteer Coastguard need your help
Despite the challenges, Raglan Volunteer Coastguard continues to deliver exceptional service. But their work depends not just on the commitment of volunteers — it relies heavily on community support and funding. Their current vessel, Gallagher Rescue, is a high-performance 11-metre twin-hull powered by two 500hp Yanmar diesels and jet units. It’s backed by two Yamaha Waverunner jetskis — Rylock Waikato Rescue I and II — all named in honour of key sponsors.
That gear has served them well, but with increasing demands and evolving rescue requirements, the unit is now fundraising for a new boat — and they need public support. “If it weren’t for the swift action from Coastguard Operations and the rapid response of Raglan Volunteer Coastguard, six lives could have been lost,” says Series of the May rescues. “It’s a stark reminder that the ocean doesn’t allow second chances. Safety gear and preparation truly make the difference between getting home safely or not.”
Raglan Volunteer Coastguard grew from grassroots — originally formed by local fishers and water users under the name Raglan Sea Rescue. Today, it is a vital emergency service delivering both search and rescue and mechanical assistance to mariners — recreational and commercial — across a wide swathe of ocean.
Crew undergo rigorous physical and professional training. In-water survivability exercises are a standard part of the programme. Volunteers are thrown overboard outside the Bar from Gallagher Rescue and must swim to shore as a team. They also participate in multi-agency search and rescue exercises with the Waikato Police SAR and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The team also focuses on education. Twice a year, they run public Bar Safety Days — including a classroom session and a live bar crossing aboard Gallagher Rescue. “It’s a unique initiative nationally,” says Series, “and our next Bar Information Day will be held on Sunday, 23rd November 2025 — bookings can be made by emailing raglancoastguard@gmail.com.”
Community and corporate support are at the heart of the operation. Series is quick to acknowledge the vital role played by sponsors. “We also want to acknowledge the incredible support of our sponsors, Rylock Waikato Aluminium and the Gallagher Group. Their backing plays a vital role in enabling us to do what we do — saving lives at sea, 24/7.”
But as demand grows, so does the need for funding. Every dollar donated helps fuel rescues, train volunteers, and, now, build a new future with a state-of-the-art rescue vessel. For a small unit punching well above its weight, this is more than a wishlist item — it’s essential infrastructure that will help them continue saving lives.
You can help
Whether you’re a local, a visitor, a surfer, fisher, or boatie — if you value safety on the west coast waters, now is the time to back the team that’s always ready to respond. Donate today. Every contribution counts — and could mean the difference between life and loss.
To support Raglan Volunteer Coastguard’s new boat appeal, visit their website or get in touch directly via raglancoastguard@gmail.com.
