Coastguard Clyde is one of only a handful of inland Coastguard units in the country. It was established in 2004, gained a dedicated rescue vessel two years later and officially opened its new purpose-built base on Saturday.
The building, next to the Department of Conservation's Otago Rural Fire Centre near Clyde, represented another milestone for the Clyde unit, president Tony Smith said.
Until the building was constructed, Doc had made room available in one of its sheds at the rural fire centre for the coastguard boat. Doc provided the space for the Coastguard unit's new headquarters rent-free.
"We're very supportive of these organisations that provide services which allow people to enjoy places safely," Doc Central Otago area manager Mike Tubbs said.
About 40 people attended the official opening of the building, including Doc staff, fire service and St John volunteers, search and rescue personnel and Coastguard Queenstown volunteers.
"Five years ago, I never dreamed we'd be here today, with a building of our own," Mr Smith said.
It was a real privilege to work with the 13 volunteers in the group and he thanked the men's families for their support. He was also grateful to Doc for its support.
The building cost about $55,000 and grants were received from the New Zealand Community Trust, Otago Community Trust, Pub Charity and the Alexandra Lions Club.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said it was good to see the co-operation between the different agencies.
The building would be a "back-up" civil defence base for the district council in an emergency.
Coastguard southern region manager Cheryl Moffat, of Christchurch, said the next project was to get a new 4WD vehicle for the group.
Clyde was one of only three inland units in the southern region, which extended south from Greymouth and Kaikoura.
It attended seven calls in the past year.
"That might not sound a lot, but for the people involved it is a lot, especially when a loved one comes home, or a body is retrieved so a family can grieve," she said.
Mr Smith said volunteers also devoted a lot of time to off-water activities such as water safety training and education.
Many of the group's call-outs involved people walking tracks around the river and lakes, who fell and injured themselves. Locating those people and transporting them on water was often easier than a land rescue.
Queenstown also has a Coastguard unit. It was formed in 2007 and has more than 20 volunteers.
• Established in 2004, now has 13 volunteers
• Has one dedicated rescue boat
• Work includes search and rescue, water safety education and training, providing safety boats at water events
• One of 15 coastguard units in the southern region (Kaikoura/Greymouth south)
• Area covered includes Lake Roxburgh, Lake Dunstan, Lake Onslow and part of the Clutha River.
• Volunteers gave 1141 hours of service in the past year.
• One of only three "inland" units in the southern region.
• Seven call-outs in the past year: three initiated by police, four calls from members of the public.
