Coastguard Canterbury

12/09/2026

18/08/2026

Congratulations to Brad for achieving Qualified Crew for our unit!
Thanks for all your mahi, teamwork & commitment to the community ❤️⚓️💙

11/07/2026

Thank you for the support Canterbury Jet Sports Club!

Passing on a much deserved $500 donation on behave of the JetSki club for helping to keep our waters safe.
Keep it up guys.
Are you a boatie and have you donated yet , you never know when or where you or a loved one will require there services

07/07/2026

It’s fantastic to see local teamwork and hard mahi recognised.

Ka pai ⭐️

🌊 National Recognition of Local Coastguard 🌊
We are proud to report that the work of Coastguard Sumner and Coastguard Canterbury has been officially recognised by NZ Search and Rescue (NZSAR).

As part of the 2026 NZSAR Awards, we received a Letter of Acknowledgement, recognising the significant contribution, dedication, and commitment of our volunteers.

The Letter was issued for two rescues, which were nominated for Awards:
🪂 Coastguard Sumner: The 2025 ANZAC Day rescue of an unresponsive paraglider who crashed into the water at Taylors Mistake

🚤 Coastguard Sumner & Coastguard Canterbury: A joint operation to rescue three people after their boat capsized near Little Akaloa Heads, Banks Peninsula on 13th April 2025.

Well done, team!

✨ We also want to send a big shoutout to Carolyn Tapley from Coastguard Canterbury (based at Naval Point, Lyttelton). Carolyn received the 2026 New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Gold Award for Support Activity.

The Gold Award celebrates Carolyn’s leadership, governance, fundraising, community partnerships and unwavering commitment to keeping people safe on the water. Truly well-deserved.

15/06/2026

This week (and every week!) we’re celebrating the incredible volunteers who make our Coastguard unit possible.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, generously giving their time, skills, and dedication to help keep people safe on the water. Whether responding to emergencies, assisting boaties in need, maintaining vessels and equipment, fundraising, or supporting operations behind the scenes, every volunteer plays a vital role.

Their commitment means our community can enjoy the water with greater confidence, knowing help is available when it’s needed most.

To our volunteers: thank you for the early mornings, late nights, training sessions, callouts, and countless hours you contribute. Your passion, professionalism, and service make a real difference.

This National Volunteer Week, please join us in recognising and celebrating the people who give their time to help others return home safely.

⚓ Thank you to all our volunteers — we couldn’t do it without you.

21/05/2026

Yesterday, near the end of a busy day at work, our crew was tasked to assist a vessel that had run out of fuel between Pigeon Bay and Little Akaloa.
The team established a safe tow and brought the vessel back to Lyttelton Harbour without incident.
On the return journey, the crew were treated to a spectacular display from the local Hector’s dolphins—an unforgettable reminder of why we love serving our coastline.
Have you got your Coastguard Membership? Your support helps keep our dedicated volunteers on call 24/7, ready to respond whenever they’re needed.

20/05/2026

Ladies, keen to feel more confident around boats and out on the water?
Wild Chix is bringing Boating Basics for Women to Christchurch. This is a relaxed, beginner friendly session designed to help women build confidence and learn practical boating skills in a supportive environment.
We’ll cover topics like safety, navigation, weather, boat handling, communication, and more, with no pressure and no such thing as a silly question.
Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to refresh their knowledge alongside a great group of women.
If this sounds like you or great for someone you know, check out the event link and sign up.

There is also the chance to win 5 Double Passes to the event, just head to Mr Boats for more details!

Learn the basics of powerboating to become more confident on the water!

18/05/2026

Today, on International Women in Maritime Day, we celebrate the incredible wāhine of Coastguard Canterbury.
From radio operations and crew support to search and rescue missions on the water, these dedicated volunteers give their time, skills, strength, and compassion to help keep our communities safe.
Their commitment, resilience, and teamwork embody the true spirit of service. Whether responding in challenging conditions or supporting behind the scenes, our women in maritime continue to inspire the next generation to step forward with confidence and courage.
Thank you to every wahine who serves, leads, and makes a difference in volunteer search and rescue. Your contribution to maritime safety is invaluable.

09/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums and mother figures in our crew, our families, and our community.

Volunteer rescue work doesn’t happen without people willing to give their time, skills, and energy to help others — and many of those people are mums balancing a lot both on and off the water.

Today we’re recognising the wahine who answer callouts, support their crews, keep things running behind the scenes, and continue showing up for their communities. Thank you for everything you do.

From all of us at Coastguard Canterbury, we wish you a safe and happy Mother’s Day. 🌊💐

07/05/2026

We’re excited to announce that our new building is a finalist in the Commercial Project Awards! 🎉

This project was made possible through the hard mahi and dedication of our incredible volunteers and contractors, and it’s wonderful to see their efforts recognised and celebrated. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this vision to life.