It’s a classy looking vessel and it’s destined for Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea. It’s Coastguard Wānaka Lakes (CWL) newest rescue boat and will be arriving here early in the new year.

The boat is one of 26 vessels to be deployed to Coastguard operations around New Zealand as the result of a partnership between Coastguard, Lotto New Zealand and Emirates Team New Zealand.

It was originally purchased for use as a patrol craft during the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland with a $9.8M lottery grant and has been refitted and rebranded for search and rescue operations.

CWL president Jonathan Walmisley said the new nine metre Protector was more capable than the CWL’s current Naiad, providing quicker response times, longer duration on the water and an enhanced ability to operate in inclement weather.

Jonathan said the new vessel has been gifted a name by Te Rūnanga o Moeraki and it will be known as Waiariki Rescue.

“Waiariki is the original name for Stevensons Arm,” he said. “We feel very privileged to be gifted this name”.

CWL’s current vessel, a Naiad 6.7 metre, will be sold with the proceeds going to Coastguard New Zealand as a contribution to the costs of the new vessel, vehicle and trailer.

The Naiad is stored at the A&P Society building at the Wānaka Showgrounds and Jonathan said new lodgings will be required for the new vessel due to its size.

The new Marine Rescue Centre (MRC) at Eely Point Reserve, which is set to start construction in 2022, has been designed to accommodate the new vessel and tow vehicle as a drive through, he said.

“The new vessel will become operational once sufficient crew have become familiarised with it and that is anticipated to take six to eight weeks after it arrives,” Jonathan said.

PHOTO: Coastguard NZ