Five Coastguard Mangawhai volunteers crewed the unit's rescue vessel Kokako Rescue and made their way to the scene, where they found three people and three dogs aboard a disabled boat.
"They were happy to see us, they were definitely in need of help," said Kokako Rescue crew member Duncan McKenzie.
After securing the situation, the crew began towing the stricken vessel back towards Mangawhai, but the operation soon ran into difficulty. A broken hatch combined with a worsening sea state allowed water to enter the boat, raising serious doubts about whether continuing the tow was safe. With winds building to around 25 knots and conditions deteriorating further, the crew changed their approach. The three passengers and their three dogs were transferred onto Kokako Rescue and brought safely to shore.
Coastguard Whangārei's Circa Rescue was then deployed to take over the tow, guiding the disabled vessel through calmer water to Marsden Cove.
McKenzie said the conditions tested both crews, but the response reflected the training behind the new unit.
"Winds were blowing 25 knots and the seas were rough. The crew did a great job. We're all pretty proud," he said.
"It was good to see the training pay off. We made a difference. It could have been a lot worse for them out there."
For those rescued, the relief was immediate.
"They were so stoked. There were hugs all round," McKenzie said.
"One of them was really pleased she'd joined Coastguard as a member. She was even trying to work out how to donate to thank us for getting them home safely."
The callout marks Coastguard Mangawhai's first official response since the unit became operational in November. Mangawhai's coastline draws boaties, surfers, and holidaymakers throughout the year, with activity peaking over summer, and a rescue capability based close to those waters cuts response times when offshore conditions change quickly. The new base forms part of a broader effort to improve rescue coverage across areas seeing increased recreational use on the water.
"It's good to know this service is here for everyone in the area," McKenzie said.
“People can head out on the water knowing we’re here, trained and ready to help.”
For the volunteers who crewed Kokako Rescue that day, the callout was an early reminder of why local capability matters, and of how rapidly a routine trip can become an emergency when weather and equipment fail at sea.
