Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue Inc.

17/06/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we would like to recognise and thank every member of the Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue team for their incredible dedication, professionalism, and commitment to keeping our community safe.

Our volunteers generously give their time, often at short notice and in challenging conditions, to respond when people need help most. Whether it’s training, maintaining equipment, attending callouts, or supporting operations behind the scenes, their contribution is invaluable.

To all our volunteers, and to the families and employers who support them, thank you. Your commitment makes a real difference and helps ensure that assistance is available when it matters most.

From all of us, thank you for your service, dedication, and willingness to answer the call

21/05/2026

As Dunedin lifeguards pause on their patrols for winter, public rescue equipment has been brought in for beach-goers to use to save a life. In...

18/05/2026

When things go wrong, a distress beacon could be your lifeline. Activating your beacon alerts emergency services and helps them start planning a response straight away.

By keeping your beacon registration up to date, authorities can access your details and emergency contacts quickly — helping get the right support to you when it matters most.🚁

Do you know what a distress beacon is?

A distress beacon is one of the most reliable ways to call for help in an emergency — especially in New Zealand’s rugged outdoors and unpredictable weather. 🌦️🏔️

When activated, your beacon sends a signal to satellites, helping search and rescue teams find you.

There are 2 main types:
🛥️ EPIRB — for boats and ships
🎒 PLB — for personal use in remote areas

If you’ve bought a beacon, even second-hand, make sure:
✔️ it’s registered to you
✔️ the battery hasn’t expired
✔️ it’s NZ coded

Registering your beacon is free, quick, and could save your life. It also makes the rescue process much faster!

To learn more about rescue beacons and how to register them, check out: https://beacons.org.nz/

09/01/2026

05/01/2026

Public Acknowledgement – Jules Radich

Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue extends its deepest condolences to the Radich family, friends, and colleagues following the passing of Dunedin City Councillor and immediate Past Mayor, Jules Radich, who died at the weekend.

Jules was a committed supporter of marine safety and a genuine advocate for the recreational boating and fishing community. He attended several Taieri Mouth River Bar Safety Crossing Seminars, and through those experiences became a strong champion of the project to install publicly accessible, live-feed cameras overlooking the Taieri Mouth bar.

Jules understood that timely, accurate information saves lives. His support helped turn an idea into a practical safety tool that allows recreational fisherpeople and boaties to assess conditions before committing to a bar crossing. As Jules so perfectly put it:
“You can lay in bed in Dunedin and see the bar conditions before you even get out of bed, deciding if today is for you or not.”

The initial two cameras were implemented in 2021, offering a variety of viewing points, along with a website allowing anyone to access the video feeds at any time.

Stage 3 – Pole Cam remains a work in progress, with the goal of remounting the original camera on a steel pole with a concrete foundation at a more ideal vantage point. While this final stage is not yet complete, Jules had recently spoken about having some available time this year to get on and finish it off.

Beyond his civic leadership, Jules was a keen fisherman and free diver. Even during his time as Mayor, when free time was scarce, he took great pride in getting out on the water for a simple “wee feed” for himself, his family, and close friends. He understood the sea not just as a decision-maker, but as someone who genuinely lived the lifestyle and respected its risks.

Jules’ legacy will endure every time someone checks the Taieri Mouth bar conditions and wisely decides whether to go or stay ashore. His practical support for safety initiatives has undoubtedly helped protect lives.

To a place where there are no blue cod or paua limits, Jules.

You will be deeply missed.

31/12/2025

Have a safe and happy summer everyone ☀️