Coastguard Marlborough

13/03/2026

Coastguard Havelock all set up at Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival.

Come say hello and tell us your stories.

Coastguard Havelock is the newest unit in New Zealand, so come show your support. Our new boat Māhutonga is permanently based at the Havelock Marina thanks to Port Marlborough.

14/02/2026

4 weeks to go! Coastguard Havelock will be on display, unfortunately no boat this year as Māhutonga Rescue is a little bigger than our last loan boat.

Come say hello, have a chat, ask questions.... share some great stories!

👀🦪 have you’ve seen it?

If you’ve been driving along Seymour Ave lately, you can’t miss our big, beautiful festival banner flying proudly 🙌

A huge thank you to Marlborough Lines Ltd for kindly donating the space & install, and to Matt and the legends at Blenheim Print for absolutely smashing the print!

We’re also incredibly grateful to our Cornerstone Sponsor Marine Farming Association and our Platinum Sponsors New Zealand King Salmon Gascoigne Wicks Go Media Aimex JAS Accounting & Advisory Port Marlborough Talley's Limited Sollys and Marlborough New Zealand Marlborough District Council for backing the festival and helping make assets like this possible 🙌

We’re stoked to have this banner not just for this year, but for many festivals to come 🦪✨

Keep an eye out — and if it reminds you to grab your tickets… even better 😉

08/02/2026

Four call-outs over the long weekend, a mix of tows and mechanical assists, and boaties enjoying the sounds and getting home safely.

Big days on the water for our volunteer crew, but that’s what we’re here for. If you need us, we’ll come.

Check your gear, log a trip report, and look after each other out there.

Marlborough District Council Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries

05/02/2026

Sometimes we just get lucky. Right boat, right place, right issue and right skipper.

Today we were tasked to two separate vessel breakdowns. Both crews had done everything they could and run out of options.

Our skipper, who is also a marine engineer, got to work troubleshooting on the water and brought both boats back to life.

Instead of long tows home, both vessels were able to travel under their own steam. Faster for them and keeping our crew ready for the next call.

It was great to see our crew putting their skills to work for the good of the unit and the people we serve.

Sometimes the stars align, and today was one of those days.

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries Marlborough District Council

05/02/2026

Out on the water doing what we love to do best - help people when they need us. And today has been gorgeous - calm, sunny and warm.

Marlborough District Council Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries

31/01/2026

Coastguard Havelock on a night time callout last night.

140 litres of fuel consumed ... Lucky they were a Coastguard member so that was a FREE Tow 😀

Coastguard membership is only $150pa so why wouldn't you have one?

https://www.coastguard.nz/boating-essentials/membership

30/01/2026

Coastguard Havelock, NZ's newest unit out on a callout ... Friday night!

16/01/2026

Coastguard Summer Lottery Tickets are on SALE today at the Picton Maritime Festival Trust.

Come down and support your local Coastguard Unit, buying local means 70% of the ticket sales sold go direct to Marlborough unit.

09/01/2026

The past couple of weeks have been busy across Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, with 15 call outs in total. These included a vessel taking on water and two serious medical evacuations.

One of the medivacs required a significant response, with both rescue boats and an emergency helicopter involved. Bluebridge Rescue took the first ambulance crew out, followed by Port Marlborough Rescue with a second crew.

It is a good reminder of how much teamwork goes on behind the scenes to make these responses happen, and how important it is to have people ready to go at any time.

A huge thank you to our team of six masters and 30 crew who continually show up, ready to go 24/7. And an even bigger thank you to the families and partners who share their loved ones’ time and energy with us. We couldn’t do it without you.

06/01/2026

The last few weeks have been very busy for us here at Coastguard Marlborough, so assisting the Marlborough District Council Harbours team with boat traffic management during the Picton New Year’s Eve fireworks was a welcome change for our crew. What an absolutely fantastic display by KIWI PYRO, everyone on board loved it 🎆

We’ve also been enjoying seeing and helping the Spirit of Adventure Trust Spirit of New Zealand vessel as they continue their journey around the Marlborough Sounds.

While the majority of our call-outs involve boating incidents and medical evacuations, these additional taskings play an important role in keeping our community safe. A great reminder of the variety of work our crews do and the value of being on the water, ready to support our community whenever we’re needed.

Here is to a safe and happy 2026 everyone!!

03/01/2026

Coastguard Havelock, the newly established unit has been out doing a few callouts around the Pelorus Sounds. From simple mechanical breakdowns to more serious incidents.

Your support helps keep this unit active and ready to respond. Have you got your Coastguard membership?

Need non-urgent assistance? Call *500

Need urgent assistance? Call 111 or ch16

29/12/2025

- WEATHER WARNING -

A Strong Wind Warning - Orange has been issued for the Marlborough Sounds by MetService.

Severe gale east to southeast winds gusting 120 km/h in exposed places are forecast for the 15 hours from 10pm tonight (Monday 29 December) through to 1pm on Tuesday 30 December. There is a minimal chance of this upgrading to a Red Warning at this stage.

Marlborough Harbourmaster Captain Jake Oliver said the Marlborough Sounds was very busy with holidaymakers and boaties at present.

“With the Strong Wind Warning in place from this evening, people should delay their trip if planning to head out on the water. If you are already out boating in the Marlborough Sounds, wait somewhere sheltered and safe until the weather has improved and remember, always wear your lifejacket,” Captain Oliver said.

MetService said strong winds can cause damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Marlborough Emergency Services Manager Matt Kerr said people can prepare by securing items on their property that could be picked up by strong winds and should drive cautiously and to the conditions.

“Holidaymakers with campervans or caravans should consider delaying their travel through high-wind areas. Additional efforts should be made to secure tents and caravans at holiday sites,” he said.

A Heavy Rain Watch - Yellow has also been issued for the Kaikōura Coast for the 12 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9pm Tuesday. MetService is forecasting periods of heavy rain for this area, and amounts may approach warning criteria. There is a moderate chance of this Watch upgrading to a Warning.

For the latest weather information including warnings go to: www.metservice.com

Further updates will be provided if the situation changes.

MetService New Zealand