Coastguard Whitianga

04/09/2026

Our Starboard Cadet Crew finally got on the water last night to complete their night Navigation session.
We were lucky that the wind turned to the West and dropped a little which enabled our crew to plan a trip down the Coast taking in Hahei , HWB, Boat Harbour and then on to Home Bay at Slipper Island. Despite the rain sea conditions were good but visibility was next to nil. A good test for our Cadets new found Navigation skills.

As with our Port crew ,Starboard crew were very much up to the challenge. Navigation and helming skills were excellent. Our Cadet crew should be very proud of themselves. A special mention of our Senior Cadet Safety Officer Connor who was exposed to the weather for most of the trip. Thank you for your support Connor.

That's it for the on water content of the cadetship. We now look forward to the Prize giving on Sunday 11am. Parents and siblings welcome.

30/08/2026

Our Port Cadet Crew were on the water on Friday night to complete their night Navigation assessment.
An overcast night with light showers and a predicted 15Knot Northerly wind which meant there were very few sheltered spots up the Coast and around the Mercury Islands.
On the plus side it was dark by launch time at 1830 hrs and pitch black by 1900 hrs.

Our cadets were tasked to prepare a navigation plan hugging the Coast along the Whauwhau to Matapaua Bay and to enter the planned route into the the GPS. The helmsman were then tasked to follow the planned route using the GPS and Radar to maintain their course. This plan of action was repeated on rotation until all of our Cadets had been assessed on their Navigation and helming skills taking us around to Opito Bay and then out around the Mercury Islands.

I am very pleased to announce that all of our Port Crew raised to the challenge with an exceptional display of their new skills. Their navigation, Helming and communication could not be faulted. Well done Port Crew you have set a very high bar for Starboard Crew to follow.

Unfortunately we had to cancel our planned Saturday night trip with Starboard crew due to the weather conditions. This trip is now rescheduled for next Friday night.

23/08/2026

The last Sunday on the water for our Cadets as they come to the end of their 12 week course. Next Friday and Saturday nights is the climax of the cadetship with both of our crews taking part in the night navigation exersise.
Injuries continue to plague this years course with both of our Senior Cadet safety officers now sidelined with sports injuries and not expected to be fit again prior to the conclusion of the course. We wish both Bianca and Connor a speedy recovery.
Once again a game of two halves for our Cadet crews. The mornings slight seas and light winds quickly gave way to a very brisk NW wind and a uncomfortable wind chop.
Late afternoon saw the rain set in and the temperature drop.
To escape the worst effect of the weather we headed South to HWB and Boat Harbor with the added bonus of a visit to Orua Cave.
Despite the conditions both crews had a very productive days training and are now ready for what ever the Night navigation exercise may throw at them. Well done team. Your tutors were very impressed with the skills on display.

16/08/2026

Another game of two halves for our Cadets out on the water yesterday as our Cadet crews undertook the annual circumnavigation of GMI in Preperation of their Night navigation assessment. Our early shift port crew faced a few showers with 10 knots of Westerly wind which provided comfortable conditions on the exposed west coast of GMI and a very sheltered Eastern Coast.
In contrast Starboard crew were faced with heavy rain and a strengthening SE wind resulting in restricted visibility and a rising swell.
Our lads new navigation skills were put to the test with each cadet having to plan for a leg of the trip and enter a safe route onto the GPS allowing for the weather conditions. The use of Radar in reduced visibility was also put to the test.

Both crews were keen to show off their new skills and enjoyed the chance to get out of the Bay and experience the waters around the Mercury Islands.

One more Sunday on the water to hone the skill set with the night navigation set over Friday and Saturday nights the following week. We are confident our Cadets are up for the challange.

09/08/2026

Our cadets were back out on the water yesterday in less than favorable conditions.
Heavy rain and low cloud along with a NE chop made for a very uncomfortable day. Not really contusive to obtaining a lot of photos or videos so I apologize for the lack of both on this post.
On the positive side as we work towards our night navigation challenge the very poor visibility at times gave our cadets the opportunity to experience the reliance on our GPS and radar navigation techniques . Despite the conditions our cadets committed to the job at hand adding to their increasing marine knowledge base. Great job team. Looking forward to better weather next weekend so we can get out around the Mercury Islands.

05/08/2026

02/08/2026

Sunday Cadets IWS

02/08/2026

Last but certainly not least Sunday saw a very full day for our Cadet Crews with their First Aid Course on the morning followed by their in water survival course out in the Bay during the afternoon.
Always a highlight of the Cadet course overseen once again by our good friend and long time sponsor of the Whitianga Cadetship , Stu Lowth from Medi Train. Stu's experience as a long serving Surf and Coastguard volunteer along with his 20 years of First aid training delivery means our Cadets have the benefit of receiving a very practical delivery with a marine focus while having a bit of fun as well. For most of our lads this course was the first introduction they have had to CPR and immediate First aid.

The Cadets then have the opportunity to put their new found skills to the test with both of our CRVs on the water in the afternoon to give our cadets the opportunity to work together in their teams during their IWS training and assessment. Once again a lot of fun to be had with a very serious element of survival should they ever find themselves in a distress. The good news is we took 9 cadets out and bought 9 cadets home keeping our 100% record intact.
A huge thank you to members of our team who gave up their Sunday afternoon the crew the two CRVs very much appreciated.
Well done to our Cadets who braved the cold winter waters of the Bay to under go this traning. Rather you than me.

02/08/2026

Saturday saw our old friend Stu Lowth from Medi train back in town to put our Communications team through their first aid refresher course. To keep Stu busy we also added a couple of our wet crew volunteers. The Whitianga Coastguard Unit are committed to ensuring all of our Communications team have the knowledge required to provide our boating public with the first aid advice they may need in the event of a medial emergency. For most the refreasher course ran from 9am -1pm but for some who needed to complete the full course the day went on until 3pm.
We would like to thank all involved for giving up even more of your personal time to complete these very valuable courses.

02/08/2026

Friday afternoon saw both of our CRVs on the water to support the CRV Masters on water assessment for our Senior Crew Volunteer Graeme Thomas. Graeme and his crew were put through a very rigorous assessment process by a very experienced Senior Coastguard Instructor Rex Harrison who travelled up from Tauranga to take part. Our support crew were on the water to play the part of a disabled vessel requiring firstly a tow back to the River, then to be barged down the River and into a Marina berth.
I am very please to announce that Graeme passed his assessment and is now a qualified CRV Master. Congratulations Graeme well done. Also many thanks to all of those volunteers who gave their support to Graeme's assessment. Very much appreciated team, well done.