Few stretches of New Zealand coastline demand as much respect as the waters off Southland. Foveaux Strait in particular is notorious for swallowing good weather quickly and punishing the unprepared. Against that backdrop, the Riverton community gathered on Saturday to mark two significant achievements: the launch of a new Coastguard rescue vessel, Russell John Chisholm II, and the opening of a purpose-built rescue centre designed to give the volunteer crew a base worthy of the work they do.
*A legacy carried forward*
The name on the hull is not incidental. In 1998, seven-year-old Russell John Chisholm was lost when a Cessna came down in Foveaux Strait, his body never recovered. In the years that followed, the Chisholm family channelled their grief into something lasting, donating Riverton's first dedicated rescue boat, a vessel that went on to serve the community for more than 20 years.
Saturday's launch marks the continuation of that story. Coastguard Riverton President Ross McKenzie spoke to what the name means to the people who sail under it.
“With continued support from the Chisholm family, the new boat will retain the name Russell John Chisholm. For us, this is a symbol of resilience, generosity, and the preciousness of life on the water.”
Among those joining McKenzie to acknowledge the occasion were Aparima Community Board chair Michael Weusten and Southland District Mayor Rob Scott, both of whom recognised the years of sustained fundraising and community effort that brought the day about.
*Built for the strait*
The Russell John Chisholm II is a NAiAD 10m Watchtower, and it carries a distinction beyond the name: it is the first vessel of its type in New Zealand to feature a wider hull and knuckle bow. Both design choices are direct responses to the conditions the crew will face. Together they extend the waterline and soften the vessel's entry into oncoming swells, a quality that matters greatly in Foveaux Strait.
The specifications reflect a craft designed without compromise:
- Length overall: 10m - Beam: 3.45m - Deadrise: 23 degrees progressive - Engines: Twin Yamaha V6 350hp outboards, top speed 50 knots - Construction: Aluminium hull with 600mm EVA foam collar - Comfort: Ullman shock-mitigating seats, forward cabin with stretcher berth - Systems: Yamaha Helm Master EX, Raymarine electronics, FLIR night vision, Radio Direction Finder
Following a week of sea trials, McKenzie shared his assessment of how the vessel is performing.
“The NAiAD is exceeding expectations, handling the sea conditions with ease.”
*Southland craftsmanship*
The build also represents a milestone for Gough Brothers Engineering of Invercargill. The company has been a fixture of Southland's marine industry since the 1950s, accumulating more than 70 years of experience across work ranging from maintaining commercial fishing vessels to engineering bespoke propulsion and hydraulic systems. For owner Nick Morris and his team, the Russell John Chisholm II was an opportunity to demonstrate what Southland tradespeople can produce when the brief is demanding.
Gough Brothers worked in close partnership with The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG), the Australian design house behind NAiAD's reputation as the "4WD of the Sea." The collaboration brought local knowledge and hands-on expertise together with internationally recognised design, producing a vessel that functions as a modern rescue platform and as evidence of what Southland's maritime sector is capable of.
*Two new vessels for the Department of Conservation*
Separately, the Department of Conservation has taken delivery of two custom NAiAD craft, also supplied by The Whiskey Project Group. Both were commissioned to extend DOC's reach into some of the most remote and demanding waters in New Zealand.
The first, PUTANGI, is a 4.3m custom aft console RHIB built to operate from DOC's Fiordland-based vessel Southern Winds. The second, PUKUNUI, is a 3.8m RHIB fitted with a 30hp Tohatsu four-stroke outboard, deployed to support DOC field teams on Stewart Island / Rakiura. DOC selected TWPG based on its record for delivering craft that prioritise reliability, safety, and operational excellence, qualities that are non-negotiable given the conditions the department's teams regularly encounter.
*More than a boat*
Saturday's event in Riverton was about more than machinery. The new rescue centre that opened alongside the vessel gives the volunteer crew a proper operational base, one that reflects both the scale of their commitment and the seriousness of the conditions they routinely face. Coastguard operations across New Zealand depend on volunteers, sponsors, and the goodwill of local communities, and in Riverton that tradition runs particularly strong.
With Russell John Chisholm II on station and a fit-for-purpose centre behind it, the crew is better placed than ever to respond quickly and safely when Southland's boaters, fishers, and families find themselves in trouble. Saturday's crowd witnessed not simply the arrival of a new boat, but the next chapter in a story of remembrance, resilience, and community generosity that first took shape decades ago.
