Royal New Zealand Coastguard

Last updated

Coastguard Tautiaki Moana
NicknameCoastguard
Formation1976
TypeCharitable organisation
Purpose Maritime search and rescue
HeadquartersLevel 2
3 Solent Street
Mechanics Bay
Auckland
New Zealand
Region
New Zealand
Chief Executive Officer
Philip Harkness (Acting)
Staff100+ paid staff
Volunteers
2,000+ active volunteers
Website www.coastguard.nz

The Royal New Zealand Coastguard (informally Coastguard) is the primary civilian marine search and rescue organisation for New Zealand. Unlike a number of other countries, the organisation is a non-governmental, civilian charitable organisation, with no enforcement powers. Uniformed agencies of the New Zealand government, including the police, Maritime New Zealand and customs, manage New Zealand's maritime law enforcement and border control. Coastguard in New Zealand is instead dedicated to search and rescue, education and community engagement.

Contents

History

Sea rescue services have existed in some shape or form in New Zealand since at least 1861, but it was not until the 1970s that the modern Coastguard was formed. [1]

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Organisation

Coastguard in New Zealand is a civilian charity made up of volunteers and staff, with 63 volunteer units located around the country. [7]

Incident types

The type of incident will influence a number of factors, such as who is in control of the incident and who will pay for the incident. Other organisations may also become involved in an incident including: [8]

Category 1 (New Zealand Police)

Some examples of a Category 1 incident are: [9]

  • Person on-board vessel is overdue
  • Death near shore
  • Usually on-land or within a few miles of the shore

Typically require the use of local personnel and resources and can be carried out efficiently and effectively at the local level.

Category 2 (Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand)

Some examples of a Category 2 incident are: [9]

  • Marine EPIRB (beacon) activated
  • Plane crash
  • May be coordinated internationally or several miles off the shore

Coastguard non-emergency assistance

Coastguard also provides non-urgent assistance within 12 nautical miles of the coast and 30 miles of a Coastguard unit, such as breakdown assistance, at no additional cost to members. [10] Coastguard membership is $150 per year (as of 2024). [11] However, this non-urgent assistance is chargeable for non-members. The current rate is $350 per hour (from the time the rescue vessel leaves the dock until the time it arrives back). [12] The costs incurred for emergency services provided by Coastguard are covered by Police or Rescue Coordination Centre, not the person in distress.

Vision, mission and strategic goals

Coastguard’s vision is that “with our support, everyone can enjoy Aotearoa’s New Zealand’s waters safely and with confidence”, with the mission of “saving lives on the water.” [13]

Across Coastguard’s three pillars – Search and Rescue, Communications and Education & Community Engagement, the organisation has three key strategic goals: [14]

  1. Having the right people, in the right place to respond to a call from help.
  2. Giving our people the support they need to enable them to focus on the mission.
  3. Having the right tools and equipment to complete the mission safely and effectively.

Personnel

Volunteers largely make up the organisation, alongside paid staff. In 2024, there was 2,000+ volunteers and 100+ paid staff. Volunteers undertake a large number of different roles within units, both on-shore and as SAR crew. [15]

Becoming a volunteer

Many Coastguard units require volunteers. Interested people can apply on the dedicated Coastguard recruitment website. [16] Applicants need to pass a "police vet". This is more stringent than just a regular criminal convictions check as crew may work with vulnerable people.

SAR Crew

Units require people to attend search and rescue events as they may arise.

Rescue Vessel Crew

Involves being a crew member onboard a Coastguard Rescue Vessel (CRV). There are many roles on-board, including helmsperson, navigator / radio operator, observer and skipper.

Air Patrol Crew

Involves being an air observer or tactical officer. The air patrol typically involves small planes.

Shore Crew

These roles involve contributing to a Unit by applying skills in administration, organising, planning, repairs, working with figures, social media, or general support, both on and off the water during rescue missions.

Radio Operator

Communicates with vessels on the water, including rescues vessels (as well as the public). This role requires the crew member to hold a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate. The role involves logging trip reports from water users, communicating vital information over marine radio, handling public calls for marine emergencies and on-water assistance, providing a communication link between Coastguard shore teams and on-water rescue crews, and working closely with other agencies like the Police, Ambulance, Fire, and the local Harbourmaster. [17]

Incident Controller

Coordinates search and rescues operations. The role is suited to someone who has previous people management experience. This role is especially important when working with other agencies, in which case the Coordinated Information Management System (CIMS) is used.

Equipment

Boats

Sumner Lifeboat, part of the Sumner Unit based in Sumner, Christchurch Coastguard New Zealand Sumner Lifeboat.jpg
Sumner Lifeboat, part of the Sumner Unit based in Sumner, Christchurch

All units operate small, medium and large marine rescue vessels, mostly over nine metres but depending on the place they could have smaller vessels. They are specially equipped with rescue equipment, such as:

Aircraft

Today two Air Patrol units exist under the Coastguard banner presently, Auckland Air Patrol and Northland Air Patrol. Together, they responded to 53 calls for assistance and assisted 96 people in 2023/24. [18] [19] Previously an Air Patrol existed in the South Island. [20] This has now been disestablished due to a lack of funding. Assistance is still able to be provided in the event of an emergency to the South Island but this is now typically provided by helicopters based out of Christchurch.

Uniforms

Crew members are provided with a distinctive red uniform that is suitable for challenging marine conditions. Some of the clothing includes:

Services

Marine VHF radio

A number of services are provided by Coastguard via. marine VHF radio. The person operating the VHF radio is required to hold a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate (unless they are under supervision by someone who holds one or they are making an emergency call). [21] To contact Coastguard you can call them on Coastguard Radio on a VHF radio, refer to their website. All emergency calls should be made on marine VHF channel 16. The channel is monitored by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and the Coastguard Operations Centres. Nearby vessels are also encouraged to listen on the channel for any distress calls. [22]

Marine Weather

Provides up-to-date marine weather for all of New Zealand. This is also known as "nowcasting". [22] The channels used for the Marine Weather service are available on the Coastguard website.

Trip Reports and Bar Crossing

Provides ability to lodge a trip report. It is a good idea to do a trip report when departing on the water and when crossing a bar. You should always remember to close your trip report when you arrive back safely or when you cross the bar. In the event that an alarm is raised, search and rescue teams will have information available to assist them with the rescue. The channels used for the Trip Reports service are available on the Coastguard website. [22] The information collected includes:

  • Boat name and callsign
  • Where you are travelling to
  • Number of People onboard (POB)
  • When you plan to arrive

Education

Coastguard is the leading provider of boating courses throughout New Zealand, offering courses to suit all abilities, types of boating and training pathways. Many courses are offered with a number being NZQA-accredited. Some of the most popular courses include:

More information is available on the Coastguard website.

Free Coastguard App

Available on platforms such as Android and iOS, there is a free Coastguard application available to download, this application can give you access to be able to log a trip with Coastguard without having to call Coastguard Radio over the phone or on the VHF radio. It can also give the weather information for your local area and give you other information such as Coastguard Radio map. It also can provide tidal information and allow you to plot locations on a map for memory, for an example fishing spots, etc.

Old4New lifejacket upgrade programme

As part of a water safety campaign, Coastguard conducts a programme where old, and oftentimes unserviceable, lifejackets can be replaced at a lower cost than the retail price. More information is available on the Old4New website.

Statistics

Financials

In the 2023/24 financial year, Coastguard received $30m in income and had $30.7m in expenses. [23]

Income ($30m in 2023/24)

  • 49% Grants
  • 18% Membership
  • 10% Lottery ticket sales
  • 9% Donations received
  • 6% Interest received & other income
  • 4% Regional grants
  • 4% Examination fees

Expenses ($30.7m in 2023/24)

  • Search & rescue 83.02%
  • Communications 4.59%
  • Education & community engagement 12.39%

Volunteer statistics

YearNumber of volunteersVolunteer hoursIncidents responded toPeople brought home safely
2024 [24] 204830304828677196
2023 [25] 200127326925966300
2022 [26] 196326100032987939
2021 [27] 197829140235538618
2020 [28] 210927630929956054
2019 [29] 198829148228996774
2018 [30] 204229123530376951
2017 [31] 205230936727026797
2016 [32] 223530873324756489
2015 [33] 224030245326466828
2014 [34] 232631523428497334
2013 [35] 243230744531277088
2012 [36] 239836310833396634
2011 [37] 222434835633376996

In the media

2016

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Our history | Coastguard New Zealand". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "Coastguard struggling to stay afloat". TVNZ. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  3. ↑ "Coastguard calls for govt funding". TVNZ. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  4. ↑ Trevett, Claire (28 August 2008). "Key slams bill – but has backed it for now". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  5. ↑ "Investing in our people". Coastguard New Zealand. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  6. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand gifted ingoa Māori | Coastguard Tautiaki Moana". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Coastguard Tautiaki Moana - We're for boaties, whatever your waka | Coastguard Tautiaki Moana". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) – Maritime NZ". maritimenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand information leaflet" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Free Assists | Coastguard New Zealand". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Membership Options & Fees | Coastguard New Zealand". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions – Coastguard Membership | Coastguard New Zealand". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  13. ↑ "Coastguard Tautiaki Moana - We're for boaties, whatever your waka | Coastguard Tautiaki Moana". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Yumpu.com. "Coastguard Performance Report 2023". yumpu.com. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  15. ↑ "Coastguard Volunteer Recruitment NZ". Coastguard Volunteer Recruitment. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  16. ↑ "Coastguard Volunteer Recruitment NZ". Coastguard Volunteer Recruitment. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Volunteer roles". Coastguard Volunteer Recruitment. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  18. ↑ "About Coastguard Auckland Air - The Charity Saving Lives at Sea | Coastguard Tautiaki Moana". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "About Coastguard Northland Air - The Charity Saving Lives at Sea | Coastguard Tautiaki Moana". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  20. ↑ "Canterbury local scoops Coastguard Air Patrol Volunteer of the Year award | Coastguard New Zealand". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  21. ↑ "VHF radio – Maritime NZ". maritimenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  22. 1 2 3 "Boating Safely – Communications, VHF, trip reports, Coastguard radio and emergencies | Coastguard New Zealand". www.coastguard.nz. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  23. ↑ "Coastguard Performance Report 2024" (PDF).
  24. ↑ "PERFORMANCE REPORT 2024" (PDF).
  25. ↑ Yumpu.com. "Coastguard Performance Report 2023". yumpu.com. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  26. ↑ "The 2022 Coastguard Performance Report" (PDF).
  27. ↑ "Performance Report 2021". Coastguard New Zealand. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  28. ↑ "Annual Report 2020". Coastguard New Zealand. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  29. ↑ "The 2019 Coastguard Annual Report" (PDF).
  30. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2018 Annual Report" (PDF).
  31. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2017 Annual Report" (PDF).
  32. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2016 Annual Report" (PDF).
  33. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2015 Annual Report" (PDF).
  34. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2014 Annual Report" (PDF).
  35. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2013 Annual Report" (PDF).
  36. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2012 Annual Report" (PDF).
  37. ↑ "Coastguard New Zealand 2011 Annual Report" (PDF).
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