Community
- Coastguard Riverton's new boat will enhance safety and rescue capabilities significantly.
- The advanced vessel features cutting-edge navigation, night vision, and thermal imaging equipment.
- Local community and donors played a key role in funding the modern rescue boat.
Coastguard Riverton is preparing to welcome a new state-of-the-art rescue boat, which is under construction by Gough Brothers Engineering in Invercargill. The new vessel, a 10m hard-top Naiad powered by twin Yamaha V6 350hp engines, will replace the current 8.5m open cabin boat, Russel John Chisholm, after 25 years of service.
Coastguard Riverton President Ross McKenzie emphasised the need for an upgrade, saying, “We have volunteers heading out in Foveaux Strait in challenging conditions, and we need to think of their safety as well as those we are sent out to rescue. We were keen to use as much local talent as possible, and we’re pleased that Gough Brothers were able to do the job.”
The new boat will feature cutting-edge equipment, including Raymarine electronics and a FLIR thermal camera capable of detecting solid objects and heat while providing coloured images in the dark. Mr McKenzie highlighted the benefits, noting, “That will vastly improve search abilities day and night.”
Enhanced automation, including mathematical search pattern calculations, will allow the crew to focus more on spotting and rescue efforts. With its larger size and enclosed cabin, the new boat will also offer improved training conditions, especially in winter.
A new shed has been built to accommodate the modern rescue boat, alongside facilities for indoor training and storage of the rescue jetski. Meanwhile, the current boat is set to be sold.
The project has been supported by multiple donors and organisations, including the Chisholm family, Coastguard NZ, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Community Trust South, the local fishing industry, and community members. “Along with our donor support scheme, funding for the project is well placed,” Mr McKenzie said.
The new rescue boat is expected to be operational by April 2025.