Coastguard Queenstown has added a rescue watercraft to its fleet, giving volunteers a faster option for reaching people in trouble across Lake Whakatipu and surrounding waterways.
The agile craft complements the unit's larger vessel, Queenstown Rescue, allowing access to shallow water and tight shoreline areas where bigger boats struggle. The capability is designed for time-critical incidents such as swimmers in distress or people in trouble close to shore.
"This new capability means we can get to people faster, especially in the spots our larger rescue boat just can't reach quickly, close to shore, in shallow water, or along the rockier parts of the lake," says unit president Phil Blakely.
The unit begins with two qualified operators, with three more expected to complete training by year's end. Qualification involves advanced rough-water handling, drysuit and rescue sled operation, helmet communications, and joint training with New Zealand Police and LandSAR under national Coastguard standards.
Senior Sergeant John Fookes, Queenstown Police Search and Rescue Coordinator, welcomed the addition: "It gives responders another fast, agile option for reaching people in areas that can be hard to access quickly and reinforces the strong multi-agency relationship Police already has with Coastguard here."
Initially the watercraft will cover Lake Whakatipu with support to Lakes Wanaka, Hawea, Twizel and Clyde. Expansion to moving water including the Kawarau River and coastal areas around Riverton is planned.
The rollout follows similar deployments at Coastguard Titirangi on the Manukau Harbour and Coastguard West Coast on the Grey River Bar.
A donation from the Hugo Trust, made in memory of Rick Murrell, contributed to the acquisition.
The public can view the rescue watercraft at a community open day on Sunday 29 November from 10am at the Coastguard base. The craft will also participate in a regional Search and Rescue Exercise on 21 November.
