Waiheke Volunteer Coastguard

27/09/2026

Summer is coming - learn the basics.

The four cardinal marks in one place ⚓

The topmark points to the safe water. Cones up means safe water north, cones down means south, and the body colours follow the same logic, the black band sits where the cones point.

For the lights, use the clock: 3 o'clock east, 6 o'clock south, 9 o'clock west. North never stops flashing 🌙

Save this one. Which cardinal still catches you out at night? 👇

15/09/2026

02/09/2026

Lifejackets save lives - so there are huge smiles at Water Safety New Zealand this morning. 😀

We could not be happier to see the Lifejackets on Recreational Craft Amendment Bill pass its third reading in Parliament late last night. This is a national rule mandating lifejacket use on boats 6m and under in size while underway.

Thank you to everyone, in every part of the water safety community, past and present who has advocated for this change. And to all you legends who took the time to make a submission in October and April.

The bill was drawn from the ‘biscuit tin’ in April 2025 – about ten years after former MP Alfred Ngaro drove it forward. We acknowledge the work of the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee in 2025 and 2026, Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer, and the Bill’s Sponsor Hon Dr Shane Reti.

In the past 25 years more than 330 people have drowned in a craft-related incident who were not wearing a lifejacket. A national, consistent rule is an incredible step for the safety of New Zealanders in the water. There’s no doubt this change will save lives.

So, what are the next steps?

The Bill needs to receive the Royal Assent, before it comes into effect 28 days later. It will be expected to come into force over the coming weeks, with the commencement date confirmed at Royal Assent.

The law will apply across New Zealand to people using recreational vessels such as
paddleboards, jet skis, dinghies, trailer sailors, and small motorboats while they are
underway.

As Dog says "Be A Legend, Always Wear a Lifejacket!"

Legends Live On.

(By chance - this makes Dog's limited edition print raising funds for water safety even more momentous, releasing the same week as this hugely significant change that will save lives, quite simply. Secure your slice of history! Link in bio)

16/08/2026

🛟⚓️ Notwithstanding everything else our President, Lisa Markwick does for the unit, especially at the moment - driving some intensive training courses for our newer crew forward through the winter - she found time to study for her own Senior crew assessment and passed with flying colours today - huge congrats from us all, Lisa!! 🏆 Thanks to assessor Craig Houkamau, skipper Guy, and the Alpha crew for the day!

26/07/2026

Cleanup under way.

In light of a few questions asked I thought I’d give a rundown on the events at hand.

We were settled in with 2 reefs and the little jib punchin into 28-30 quite happily at 5-6knts boat speed. Looking at our direction we were not going to clear the tip of waiheke on our tack so rather than get to close to shore we decided to tack out. The tack was a success and off we went. Not long after that we got layed flat with a 45knots puff this made for the decision to put the deep reef in. Unfortunately I did not realise the deep reef was missing some dog rings so it wasn’t going to hook on to the horn. This prompted an issue with a solution as we were drifting sideways and the direction was not only the wrong way it was going to push us towards land. Rather than try and fight a mainsail that’s blowing out to leeward we made the call to use the engine to poke the nose of the boat into the wind so we could safely secure the deep reef (comittee would have been notified of motor use after). This is where trouble struck as the moter went forward for about 2metres then let go. As soon as it did I realised the prop bush had left the building. It was then we decided to do two things. 1 was notify coastguard as we still had no main up and while in a controlled drift if we were in able to sort main out we had no motor as backup. Coast guard got to us promptly. We got the main sorted and got under way. We made the call to retire as if something else was to go wrong (anything can happen to any boat in that weather). We would not have a means of propulsion so home bound we were. Coast guard shadowed us and we were looking at options to tow home but it wasn’t going to work. Our issue was with no motor navigating the tamaki river on an outgoing tide into half moon bay is difficult without an engine. Eventually coastguard stopped shadowing us as we were ok sailing. Unfortunately we didn’t end up with a tow into half moon bay and with some dinghy sailing skills we managed to park her alongside the fuel dock on the second attempt. Thank fully the wind had dropped and was in a good direction otherwise we would have stuck her under the cliffs and anchored in the mooring field.

Key points
1. T Rex was well and truly fine sailing in that weather.
2. With no motor it’s not safe or responsible to continue racing a boat as if something goes wrong then you have no back up.
3. Always make sure you have adequate safety gear and tools (we had it all but unfortunately no spare prop so that is now going to be an item carried on board)
4. Make sure you have good systems for reefing on board (our deep reef wasn’t as good as we thought it will now change)
5. No race is worth sacrificing safety for. (We consider our engine part of saftey equipment so therefore if it’s not there then neither are we)

26/07/2026

26/07/2026

It takes a village … today we’re especially grateful for All Marine Glazing. A few months ago they came to our rescue and replaced a window we’d shattered with a rogue bowsprit. Yesterday our weather tightness was seriously tested. 💯 marks to our man at ALL MARINE GLAZING -Mahamood. Our crew got home safe and our rescue vessel was dry. We highly recommend this glazing team to our mates at Coastguard New Zealand.

19/07/2026

Always valuable to train with our fellow Hauraki Gulf Units - this time it was Howick Coastguard and Coastguard Maraetai, and on Sunday Coastguard North Shore joined us. Thanks buddies!

09/07/2026

Making plans for the long weekend ahead? If it involves water - please - Don’t Go Alone.

More than half of the 78 people who drowned in 2025 were in, on, or around the water by themselves. If you’re solo there’s no one there to assist when things go wrong.

And things do.

Please - Don’t Go Alone.