Coastguard Bluff's new $1.3 million rescue vessel will become a ''floating memorial'' to those drowned in Foveaux Strait.
Truck driver Leon Harrison, the man behind plans for an onshore memorial at Stirling Point, Bluff, has given the money raised to the rescue vessel appeal, saying it was ''the right thing to do''.
In the past 15 years, 26 people have died in the strait, most recently a German man living in Southland and his two German tourist passengers, whose yacht went missing in April and was never found.
Mr Harrison launched the idea for a memorial after losing good friend Shane Topi when the fishing boat Easy Rider sank in March 2012, killing eight of the nine aboard.
Money for the memorial had been received from many individuals and organisations, including $10,000 from the retirement care home and village operator Bupa.
On Saturday, Mr Harrison and Bupa representative Lindsay Abbott formally handed over $20,000 to Coastguard Bluff president Andy Johnson.
Mr Harrison said on Tuesday obtaining planning permission to erect a memorial at Stirling Point was more difficult than he had first thought, and more money would have been needed.
Bupa and the families of those drowned on Easy Rider were all ''happy as Larry'' the money was being given to the Coastguard appeal instead, he said.
''A floating memorial is quite fitting. This is a donation to a practical group which goes out and searches for people and rescues them.''
A memorial plaque would be placed on the boat, he said. Another plaque might be placed at the Bluff Maritime Museum, although that had not yet been finalised.
Coastguard Bluff fundraising committee chairman Jon Turnbull said Saturday's donation meant the fundraising target for the new vessel had been reached in just under a year.
The new 13m fast response boat, specifically designed to handle the rough waters of Foveaux Strait, was expected to be in the water by this time next year, he said.
