We’re changing our name to Coastguard Sumner
Big news – we’re changing our name! Sumner Lifeboat will be known as Coastguard Sumner from now on. We have been a Coastguard unit since 1976 when the Royal New Zealand Coastguard was founded. Changing our name to Coastguard Sumner makes it clearer that we are one of 63 Coastguard units around Aotearoa. This will […]
Winner – Rescue of the Year Award 2022
We are hugely proud as a unit to receive the Rescue of the Year Award in the 2022 Coastguard Awards of Excellence. The award was for the rescue of a hang glider pilot who crashed into the bottom of the cliffs at Whitewash Head. This rescue was notable not just for the successful rescue of […]
Helping the Emily B Drifter Project
In late April we held a night exercise to search and recover two ‘drifters’ – specially designed floating devices with GPS trackers. The screenshots from the tracker show they had drifted south-east then west towards Godley Head, where we located and retrieved them. The Emily B Drifter Project is an awesome ‘grassroots’ project to understand […]
Upgraded Blue Arrow Rescue back in action
After a major upgrade, Blue Arrow Rescue is back on station and ready for action. The three month refit involved new engines, drive system mods, new navigation systems and VHF radio comms gear. Blair Quane, Sumner Lifeboat President, commented recently, “Blue Arrow Rescue underwent her sea trials today and exceeded expectations. The repowering was a […]
Launch of $60,000 fundraiser for new engines
We need your help so we can continue saving lives at sea! Our all-weather rescue vessel, Blue Arrow Rescue, needs new engines and drive systems. It’s currently off the water pending fitting of the new gear. We’ve set a target of $60,000 by mid-December 2021 to help fund the new engines and associated equipment. We’re […]
COVID-19: we are still operating 24×7 for emergencies
As a Coastguard unit, Sumner Lifeboat will continue to operate its 24×7 maritime search and rescue service throughout lockdown. We ask everyone to follow the advice of the Government and Maritime New Zealand: Do not do activities that may require search and rescue services. For example, do not go swimming, surfing, boating, hunting or tramping. […]
Rescue: sea kayaker capsized in freezing waters
14 August 2021 @ 11:12am – Called out to rescue a capsized sea kayaker in surf beyond the Avon/Heathcote Estuary mouth. Time was of the essence as the kayaker only had light clothing and was immersed in winter-cold waters. Hamilton Jet Rescue was launched quickly and the young man in the water was located soon […]
Rescue: crashed hang glider at Whitewash Head
25 July 2021 @ 12:44pm – Sumner Lifeboat was called out by the Police to attend to a crashed hang glider beneath Whitewash Head. Hamilton Jet Rescue and Urquhart Rescue Trust were launched with six of our most experienced crew. Quickly locating the scene, three crew swam ashore to assess and attend to the casualty. […]
Canterbury SAREX: a major maritime search and rescue exercise
Sumner Lifeboat took part in 2021’s first large-scale maritime search and rescue exercise (SAREX) on 19 April. Hosted by Coastguard North Canterbury at their Kaiapoi base and run by Coastguard New Zealand and Canterbury Police, it involved about 70 people, almost all volunteers. Crews from Coastguard North Canterbury, Sumner Lifeboat, Coastguard Canterbury, Coastguard Kaikoura, Coastguard […]
Heather McDonald revalidated as skipper
Congratulations to Heather McDonald! In early April she was revalidated as a Coastguard Rescue Vessel skipper (officially called an ISC Master). It’s a rigorous assessment that has to be done every 5 years to ensure the skipper of the vessel is still meeting the required standards. Heather has been a crew member at Sumner Lifeboat […]
