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 IRB
• 15.5m ‘Thames’ class purpose-built self-righting all-weather (ex RNLI) lifeboat.

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.

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