A Busy Start to the Year on the Water!

What a start to 2026! Over the festive season, our incredible volunteer crew put in between 30 and 60 hours each on our vessels from 20 December to 10 January, with additional time spent on call when needed. In fact, there were only three days during that period when we weren’t out on the water!

Across those weeks, we responded to 16 calls for assistance and helped at least 40 people return safely to shore. A huge thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and energy to keep our community safe.

It wasn’t just on the water where our team made a difference—many volunteers were also out selling summer lottery tickets. We’re grateful to local businesses like New World Orewa and Mitre 10 Silverdale for hosting our teams, and of course, thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket to support our fundraising efforts. Good luck in the draw!

One of the most memorable days began with a request to jump-start a vessel at Waiake. From there, things escalated quickly—a solo sailor caught in rough weather suffered mechanical failure and a blow to the head from his boom. We arrived to assist just as a lightning storm rolled in! While spectacular, it made towing in torrential rain and high winds even more challenging. Once he was safely secured at Gulf Harbour Marina, we headed out again for a welfare check on a fishing vessel off Orewa Beach. Thankfully, they were happily fishing in the rain and sheltered from the worst of the wind. A quick check before we left that the engine would start, and confirmation of their plans, and their destination.

On our way back, another call came in—a yacht limping home at just 1 knot due to mechanical failure. The choice? Head home and return at 2:30 a.m, or go now. Our crew chose to tackle it straight away, towing the vessel back to Gulf Harbour and arriving just after 1 a.m.— while being treated again to another spectacular lightning show all the way home!

We’re so grateful to the land-based informants who call Coastguard or Police when something doesn’t look right. We’d always rather check and find everything okay than risk the alternative.

Thank you to our volunteers, supporters, and community for helping us keep the coast safe. Here’s to a safe and successful year ahead!