The number of incidents the Howick Volunteer Coastguard attended, and the number of people it saved, are both down in 2024/2025 compared to the previous year.
That was among the information its president Blair Telfer presented to the Howick Local Board at its most recent business meeting when he provided its members with an update on the organisation’s activities this year.
Telfer said Howick Volunteer Coastguard had saved 387 people in 2023/2024. That number had fallen to 306 for 2024/2025.
The number of incidents its crews attended has fallen also, from 142 to 115.
The organisation is a volunteer-based marine rescue unit dedicated to keeping people safe on the water in the Hauraki Gulf and surrounding areas.
It responds to a wide range of incidents, including boat breakdowns, medical emergencies, capsizes, and search and rescue missions.
Howick Volunteer Coastguard also supports community events, assists with towing vessels in distress, and promotes boating safety through education and outreach.
Operated by highly trained volunteers, it’s on call 24/7 and is ready to respond wherever someone needs help at sea.
Telfer expressed his thanks to the board for its support and ran them through his presentation, saying the Coastguard’s core mission is “saving lives at sea”.
He said the organisation’s crews invested more than 2000 hours into training in 2024/2025.
“It’s a rigorous programme that all of Coastguard New Zealand go through to make sure that our people are at the best.
“It includes radar, helming, all the search and rescue, so there is a lot of time and effort put in by all of our volunteers.”
Telfer said Howick Volunteer Coastguard had recently started a relationship with Fire and Emergency NZ, in particular the Howick and Otara fire stations.
“Otara and Howick fire units are responsible for the Hauraki Island Gulf, that falls into their remit.
“We’ve done a lot of work and training, we’ve got processes in place for how we can support those firefighters when they need to get on a boat to get out to those islands.”
