Wellington Volunteer Coastguard

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.

30/07/2025

IMPORTANT - STAY OFF YOUR BOAT TONIGHT - Kamchatka Earthquake, Russia 8.7m - Swing mooring owners - Please stay ashore tonight in a safe location on shore.

NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY – EXPECT STRONG AND UNUSUAL CURRENTS AND UNPREDICTABLE SURGES AT THE SHORE

We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake near OFF THE EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA RUSSIA at 2025-07-30 11:25 AM.

ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN AREAS UNDER THREAT:

STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND SHORE AREAS

People on boats, live-aboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials.

There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event. We are advising people to:

Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
Share this information with family, neighbours and friends.