2020 in review: a relatively quiet year, with 28 callouts, including several at night or at dusk.   All incidents could have had serious consequences. They were a mix of surfers or boarders in big seas, broken down boats and missing persons. Our volunteer crew always responded rapidly, with typically 10-12 boat and shore crew arriving to...

Well done to Blair Quane who recently was revalidated as a Coastguard skipper (officially called an ISC Master). The skipper is in charge of the rescue vessel, so it's not an easy qualification to achieve and maintain.   Blair also attained a navigation qualification, to add to his long list of Coastguard achievements.    As well...

Very sad news - former Sumner Lifeboat Coxswain and President Paul Lawson passed away on Tuesday 17 September 2019 with his family beside him. A lifeboat legend, his contributions over 21 years with Sumner Lifeboat Institution and Coastguard New Zealand were huge and he will be missed by us all. He was always focused on developing Sumner...