Coastguard to the rescue
Published on 18 June 2025
In Volunteer Week, we celebrate the hardy team of Thames Coastguard volunteers who’re out at sea in all weather, saving lives
It’s bucketing down in the Firth of Thames. Grey mist envelops the coast. Winter’s truly here. It’s a Sunday afternoon for huddling on the couch.
But it’d take more than a downpour to deter Thames Coastguard volunteers. Clad in bright red wet weather gear in their Richardson’s-sponsored rescue boat, they’re nimbly launching off Kōpū Recreational Boat Ramp on a training exercise.
The four volunteers expertly manoeuvre their boat into the water, check the equipment and make radio contact with the national coastguard. At the helm is skipper Steve Russek, who’s charting the course for the afternoon’s exercise. He’s been volunteering for over 25 years and seen it all: middle of the night rescues, massive storms at sea, ill-prepared boaties getting into trouble, summer visitors blown off course. All in a day’s work.
The crew of volunteers this Sunday includes Bruce Benseman, Jimmy Klaricich and Sue Baker, stalwarts of Thames Coastguard which has 23 regular volunteers (14 of them ‘wet’ crew, the rest behind-the-scenes), clocking up thousands of hours a year.
New Kōpū boat ramp improves response times
“The new Kōpū boat ramp’s magic,” says Bruce, as he jumps onboard. With the old boat ramp, crew had to wade into mud and water to launch. “We can get in and out of here, without people having to get wet before they start a call-out. You don’t want to be out there at 2 in the morning soaking wet and be out for 4 or 5 hours.”
Response times when using the new Kōpū ramp have improved, Jimmy says. “It makes a big difference, especially on urgent calls.”
The Thames Coastguard crew is responsible for safety in a huge area – from the Colville Channel up to Auckland’s Kawakawa Bay. Today they’re navigating close to Kōpū, going out into the Firth, checking who’s on the water and monitoring conditions at sea.
The crew spot a lone boat anchored out at sea. They draw up to greet the solo boatie. He welcomes the chat. He hasn’t been to Kōpū in decades, and doesn’t have the navigational equipment to find his way in. Ten minutes later, he’s had the benefit of the Coastguards’ navigational advice and the team has prevented what could have been a mishap at sea.
“You might want to think about joining the Coastguard,” Steve informs the boatie. “It’s like the AA – costs about $150 a year and ensures boaties have peace of mind. Members get unlimited free tows and breakdown assist. We do tow a lot of non-members, but it's costly at $380/hr. However, we will always rescue anyone in an emergency situation.”
Many people assume the Coastguard is staffed by paid professionals. But its patrols and rescues are carried out entirely by highly trained volunteers, who devote their time to train, go on search and rescue missions, carry out radio operations or undertake maintenance.
Big Swim fundraising
As well as membership fees and volunteer sweat, the service is kept alive by fundraising. This June, two of Thames Coastguard Volunteers are taking part in The Big Swim, raising vital funds to keep the service afloat.
New Thames Coastguard volunteer Paul Studer and Steve Russek have both pledged to swim 10km throughout June. They’ve been clocking up the k’s at Thames Centennial Pool, raising over $2,000 so far.
“The satisfaction for me is being able to help people, and hopefully save a life somewhere,” Paul says, between laps. “I don’t think there’s any greater calling that anyone could want to do. If you’re trained and you have the opportunity to do this, it’s a fantastic thing for mankind.”
For Paul, who moved to Thames a year ago, joining the Coastguard has been a win. He’s made new friends, got fit and had a great time reconnecting with boating. “New Zealand is a land of boaties. The Coastguard is an unpaid organisation who’re out there saving everyone. To have someone like the Coastguard looking over you, it’s huge. If we can fly the flag for them, it’s fantastic.”
To join the Coastguard or donate, visit www.coastguard.nz
To sponsor the Big Swim volunteers: