A Call We Never Forget: Why Lifejackets Must Be Worn

7:30am. The pager sounds and phones light up. An urgent call has come in for Hibiscus Rescue Two.

Across the Hibiscus Coast, volunteers drop what they’re doing — breakfast with family, getting ready for work, plans for the day instantly abandoned. They race to Stanmore Bay, knowing that when the boat leaves the ramp, someone’s life is already at serious risk.

That morning, two skippers and three crew launched with limited information: a kayaker was missing off Waiwera. Conditions were challenging. Time was critical.

For the next four hours, the crew searched tirelessly alongside Surf Life Saving IRBs, working under the coordination of Maritime Police. Every sweep of water carried urgency, with the crew focused on covering water quickly and methodically in the hope of locating the missing person.

For the volunteers involved, it was a confronting reminder of how quickly a day on the water can turn into an emergency — and how small decisions can have life‑changing consequences.

A Tragic and Preventable Situation

Even when a search ends, the impact doesn’t stop when the boat returns to the ramp.

“Every call-out like this stays with you,” says Jackson Ngamotu, Senior Crew Member “You can’t help but think about what might have changed the outcome. Wearing a lifejacket is such a simple step, but it can make all the difference when things go wrong. Too often we’re responding to situations that could have been prevented.”

Coastguard volunteers see the risks first-hand. They know that when someone unexpectedly ends up in the water — whether through capsize, weather change, fatigue, or a simple slip — the chances of survival drop dramatically without a lifejacket already being worn.

Why We Are Calling for Change

New Zealand’s current lifejacket rules are inconsistent and confusing, varying between regions and relying heavily on vessel length rather than real-world risk.

Coastguard, alongside Water Safety New Zealand, is calling for a clear, national rule that requires lifejackets to be worn — by everyone, of all ages — when on the water.

The evidence is clear. Lifejackets significantly increase survivability in emergencies, particularly when people unexpectedly enter the water. Yet most boating fatalities in New Zealand involve adults who were not wearing a lifejacket.

Our volunteers witness this reality far too often. A lifejacket can mean the difference between a rapid rescue and a prolonged search.

The proposed changes to the Life Jackets for Children and Young Persons Bill represent a critical opportunity to improve boating safety nationwide. The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is now considering extending mandatory lifejacket wear beyond children to include people of all ages, and is seeking further public submissions.

While Coastguard strongly supports this direction, we believe the law must go further. Limiting lifejacket requirements to vessels six metres and under does not reflect the true risks on the water. Accidents can — and do — happen on vessels of all sizes.

From the Front Line

For volunteers like Jackson, the message is straightforward:

“A lifejacket has never ruined a day on the water. But not wearing one can turn a normal trip into an emergency very quickly. We’d much rather see people wearing them than be searching for them.”

Every call-out reinforces why this change matters. Every search reminds our crews why prevention is just as important as response.

Have Your Say

This is a rare opportunity to shape national boating safety law and help prevent future emergencies on our coastline.

Public submissions are open — and your voice matters.

👉 Have your say and learn more about the Lifejacket Call for Change: https://www.coastguard.nz/lifejacketcallforchange

By supporting a clear, consistent national rule for wearing lifejackets, we can help reduce serious incidents on the water — and ensure more people make it home safely at the end of the day.

Because the best rescue is the one that never has to happen.