Sumner Lifeboat Institution Inc. is a volunteer maritime search & rescue organisation operating at the seaside suburb of Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand. Rescues using ‘dedicated’ lifeboats began in 1898, continuing to this day.

Sumner Lifeboat was:

Instrumental in establishing several similar units in other parts of New Zealand;
A founding member of the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation (RNZCF) in 1976;
A foundation member of Coastguard Southern Region established in 2003.

Lifeboats owned and operated include:

• 3.8m 30hp outboard Arancia IRB - LADY FRANCES II
• Yamaha FX160 Waverunner and is powered by a four cylinder 4 stroke 160hp 20 valve 1052cc engine. It has been fitted with a sled which enables it to be used in quick efficient rescue situations within the surf zone. - SOUTHERN TRUST RESCUE
• 5.8m surf rescue boat custom designed by Richard McBride and purpose built in Christchurch by Hamilton Marine. The boat is powered by a 5.7 litre Marine Power Jetpac multipoint fuel injected V8 driving a Hamilton Jet HJ213 water jet. - HAMILTON JET RESCUE

Training Courses

Comprehensive training courses are provided to the public with a focus on Boating Education, and on Maritime Search & Rescue. For more infomation on training courses click here.

Location

Sumner Lifeboat Station is located at 2 Scarborough Road, Sumner. The ‘Thames’ class lifeboat lies afloat at Port Lyttelton.