Wellington Volunteer Coastguard

26/02/2026

A massive thank you to the Petone Working Men’s Club for the outstanding donation.

The Club has again donated a significant amount, fundraised through the Petone Charity Fishing Competition.

Congratulations and thanks to all those who took part on the day!

This funding goes straight into supporting Wellington Coastguards operational capability, ensuring we can actively train and when required undertake search and rescue operations.

Wellington Coastguard has been operating for 57 years (since 1969🤯). Without donations and support from the community none of this would have been possible. So thanks again Petone Working Mans Club and thanks again to all those who took part on the day!

13/02/2026

Ahoy Wellington boaties, please be aware that from Sunday and through into Monday a significant wind is expected with 60knots forecasted from the south bringing heavy swell with it.

Stay safe out there and remember to check on your vessels if they are moored in the Wellington region.

08/02/2026

08/02/2026

Please support Wellington Coastguard in our 2026 Summer Lottery appeal!

08/02/2026

Please support Coastguard Wellington and be in the draw to win some amazing prizes, including a Ford Ranger Stormtrak Hybrid, Haines Hunter 545,and incredible overseas holidays.

If you purchase five tickets, you will also receive a complimentary ticket giving you another chance to win! And.... because you are buying through Coastguard Wellington, you also go in the draw to win a bonus prize of a $10,000 Niue holiday! 70% of the ticket price comes directly back to our Unit to help us continue to save lives at sea.

Just scan the QR code to purchase tickets, and you're in to win! Thanks for supporting Coastguard Wellington!

13/11/2025

06/10/2025

10/09/2025

At 06:03 yesterday morning Wellington Coastguard Pagers were activated.

The rescue crew assembled and was tasked to a ketch with two sailors onboard approximately 3nm south of Baring Head with steering issues.

Rescue vessel Spirit of Wellington departed base and made best speed to the vessel in distress, locating them shortly after arriving on the south coast.

The vessel was towed back to Wellington with all hands safe and sound.

Wellington Coastguard thanks all those who support us in our mission to save lives at sea. A special thanks must be given to the Radio Operators at Beacon Hill harbour radio for their watch and support.

26/08/2025

🚨Information sought after mayday call 🚨

At around 10:45pm, 10 Wellington Volunteer Coastguard volunteers launched rescue vessels ‘Spirit of Wellington’ and ‘Reremoana’ in an urgent search for a vessel reported to be in trouble approximately three nautical miles from Karori Rock.

Our crews searched until around 3:00am. Unfortunately, nothing was located.

Police are urgently seeking information following a mayday call overnight.

The call was made about 10pm yesterday, reporting a vessel with several people onboard was in trouble in the Cook Strait, approximately 3 nautical miles from Karori Rock.

Boats from Police, Coastguard Wellington, CentrePort, Wellington Airport Fire and Rescue, and the Interislander searched the area until 2.30am, but no debris was found.

A Search and Rescue team and Police also checked along the shoreline and boat ramps, but nothing of note was located.

The search resumed about 7am, but Police urgently want to hear from anyone with information directly related to the report. Please call 111 and use the reference number P063602359.

Other information can be reported at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” and using the same reference number.

19/08/2025

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ian Burns, a cherished long serving member of Wellington Volunteer Coastguard. He will be dearly missed for his dedication to Coastguard and the the Wellington boating community.

Ian dedicated a huge amount of his free time to providing maritime search and rescue services in our region during his service with Wellington Volunteer Coastguard.

11/08/2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Geoff Layton, a cherished long serving member of Wellington Volunteer Coastguard. He will be dearly missed for his dedication to Coastguard and the the Wellington boating community.

Geoff dedicated a huge amount of his free time to providing maritime search and rescue services in our region during his 50 years of service with Wellington Volunteer Coastguard.

09/08/2025

Gnarly weather from the south kept most boaties safe at home today but the 40 knot wind gusts and 3 metre swell were great for some heavy weather helming practice for Coastguard Wellington volunteers.