Precision Under Pressure: A Hibiscus Coastguard Kayak Rescue
- Rachel Hessey
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 17
It was a Saturday afternoon shift like many others at Hibiscus Coastguard. Our crew for Hibiscus Rescue 2 (Hib2) was in the shed, working through our routine checks before heading out. But it was clear from the outset this wasn’t going to be a quiet day. A strong south-easterly was already blowing, with winds pushing 35 knots and gusting up to 45. Even from shore, you could see it was going to be rough out there, and we’d already made the call to stay close to shore.
At around 2:15pm, everything changed. The call came in — a Mayday. Two people in a kayak were overdue and missing, last seen about two nautical miles off Stanmore Bay.
Because we were already in the shed with a full crew, we were able to respond straight away. Within minutes, we were on the water and heading toward the last reported position, knowing that in conditions like these, time matters.
The trip out was tough. We were punching through heavy seas, with waves breaking over the bow as we made our way forward. Everyone onboard instinctively fell into their role. The helms person focused on holding a safe course, our navigator stayed in constant contact with Coastguard New Zealand, and the rest of us scanned the water, looking for any sign of the missing kayakers.
When we reached the search area, there was nothing in sight — just rough seas stretching in every direction. We were tasked with beginning a search toward Hatfields Beach, while overhead, Police Eagle helicopter was deployed to assist.
Not long into the search, we got the update we were hoping for — Eagle had located them.
The two kayakers were in the water, clinging to their kayak, but they had drifted much further than expected — now several kilometres north of where we were.
We turned immediately and pushed toward their position as quickly and safely as we could. It’s always a balance in conditions like that — you feel the urgency, but you also have to respect what the sea is doing around you.
When we arrived, it was clear they had been through a lot. Both were showing signs of hypothermia and extreme fatigue after spending a long time in cold, rough water.
Our skipper kept things calm and controlled, guiding them to stay with the kayak while we carefully set up the recovery. It was tense, but with clear communication and reassurance, we were able to steady the situation and safely bring both people onboard. We also recovered the kayak, and importantly, no one was injured.
For me, what stood out most from this job was the teamwork. In challenging conditions, there’s no room for confusion — everyone needs to know their role and trust each other completely. That’s exactly what happened. The coordination between our crew and the Police Eagle helicopter made all the difference, turning what could have been a long and uncertain search into a successful rescue.
As volunteers, we train regularly for moments like this. You hope you’ll never need it, but when you do, you rely on that training and the people beside you.
This rescue had a positive ending, but it’s also a powerful reminder of how quickly things can change on the water:
Check the forecast carefully — conditions offshore can be very different from what you see on land
Dress for the water, not the weather — cold water can take its toll very quickly
Always wear a properly fitted lifejacket
Carry a distress beacon and a reliable communication device — it can save your life
In this case, those simple precautions made a difference. The kayakers were wearing lifejackets and had a way to communicate, which helped us find them in time. They are alive today because of this.
I’m incredibly proud to be part of Hibiscus Coastguard. We’re all volunteers, giving our time to train, to respond, and to help when it matters most. Days like this remind me why we do it.
— Bernie Harris, Coastguard Hibiscus Volunteer
