'We’re very excited': New Coastguard Canterbury headquarters gets off the ground

The new base for Canterbury search and rescue operations is taking shape.

Construction of the $2.6 million headquarters for Coastguard Canterbury is well under way at Lyttelton’s Naval Point.

Coastguard Canterbury board member Carolyn Tapley (above) said it was a welcome milestone for the volunteer charity organisation, after more than a decade of trying to find a new home. 

“We’re very excited. We’ve waited a long time. We’ve been in portacoms provided by the Christchurch City Council for the past five years.”

The former Coastguard building was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquakes.

It was eventually demolished in 2020, as part of the city council’s Naval Point redevelopment plan, which included preparations for the SailGP regatta. 

“The council gave us this land and gave us a prestige site right by the public jetty.

"And we are the cornerstone project for the Naval Point development, so it’s important that we get our building right and it looks great,” Tapley said. 

Coastguard New Zealand, the city council and community donations funded the search and rescue centre project, with a $1.5 million grant from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust. 

Tapley said $200,000 was still needed for internal fixtures and security/electrical fittings.

Coastguard Canterbury has 25 volunteers and three rescue vessels, based at Lyttelton, Sumner and Kaiapoi.

But Tapley said demand for its services is growing. 

Last year the organisation attended 48 calls and brought 158 people home safely. 

“We’re all volunteers, none of us get paid. So, yeah, it’s been tough mahi for us, but we are very passionate about what we do and we want to get it right for the community and support our boating public.”

Once complete, the new 885sq m search and rescue centre will offer training, meeting and radio rooms with a harbour lookout, along with secure storage for rescue boats and the towing tractor. 

Tapley said they are still trying to raise funds for the new centre.

After that, they will turn their attention to fundraising for another rescue boat. 

Their towing tractor BBT (Big blue tractor) is also on its last legs.

Anyone who might be able to donate a suitable replacement is encouraged to get in touch.

Coastguard Canterbury hopes its new centre will be fully operational by March.

- By Geoff Sloan, made with the support of NZ On Air