About Us

Coastguard New ZealandCoastguard Mana is an affiliated member of Coastguard New Zealand and is a a Unit of the Central Region Coastguard.

We are based at the Mana Marina, Porirua Harbour on the North Island west coast just up the road from Wellington. Our area of responsibility covers the Mana inshore marine area and the northern end of Cook Strait across to the top of the Marlborough Sounds.

The Unit operates two rescue vessels. Our principle vessel is a 13.6m Waveney class lifeboat. The second vessel is a 5.8m Naiad rigid inflatable (RIB).

CRV Porirua Rescue: 13.6m ex RNLI Waveney lifeboatThe Waveney is an ex RNLI lifeboat that started services as, Life boat 44-017 "The Nelsons of Donghadee" in 1976. Over the next 21 years service around the UK coastline she carried out 230 callouts and saved 74 lives before being retired and sold to restart a new chapter in her life in New Zealand.

In April 1998 Life boat 44-017 became 'Nicholsons Rescue' and commenced Coastguard duties operating from Mana. 'Trust Porirua Rescue', as she is now known, was the first of 6 ex RNLI Waveney class life boats that entered service with the Royal NZ Coastguard between 1998 and early 2000. Only two (Mana and New Plymouth) remain. Each vessel is 13.62m long, 3.84m in beam, weighs 18.5 tonnes and "speeds" to a rescue at around 12knots.

CRV Pelorus

The 5.8m Naiad RIB was purchased new from Naiad and entered service in December 2006. It was purchased so the Unit could provide a fast response to vessels in distress or difficulties in the Mana inshore marine area, and to cover the areas of Porirua Harbour that the Waveney can not reach due to her draft.

Our 'Active Crew' members not only include ex Navy and Police, professional business people and business owners, they also have families of their own and are often pleasure boaties or fishermen. All are volunteers who live locally and who are dedicated to saving lives at sea. All understand how easy it is to get into trouble at sea and need outside help. All volunteers have good knowledge of the local area and sea conditions and are fully trained in this aspect.

Coastguard provides liaison and training such as Day Skipper, Boatmaster and VHF courses to enhance people's knowledge of boating and the sea.