On the evening of Wednesday, 27th November, Coastguard Hawke’s Bay responded to a call for assistance from a vessel experiencing mechanical issues near the port. With calm seas and little wind, the rescue operation concluded smoothly, towing the vessel back to Napier.
Coastguard Hawke’s Bay typically operates a single rescue vessel, the Celia Knowles Rescue. However, from late October to early November, they had temporary access to the Joe Hawke Rescue, a bailment vessel. A bailment vessel is owned by Coastguard New Zealand but loaned to a local unit, in this instance Coastguard Hawke’s Bay, for operational use.
The Joe Hawke Rescue, a 9-metre Rayglass Protector powered by twin 225hp Mercury 4-stroke outboards, was named in September 2022 in tribute to the late Māori land rights leader Joe Hawke, who passed away earlier that year. The vessel’s name was gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, symbolising the iwi’s connection to the Waitematā.
The Celia Knowles Rescue was launched on 20 June 2009, named in honour of Celia Knowles, whose estate generously funded much of its construction. Designed by De Villiers Yacht Design Ltd and built by AMF in Tauranga, the vessel is 11.7 metres long, equipped with twin 480hp Cummins diesel engines driving Hamilton jet units. This configuration ensures precision manoeuvrability, a top speed of 33 knots, and a range of 250 nautical miles, allowing it to stay at sea for over 10 hours. The Celia Knowles Rescue plays a critical role in one of New Zealand’s largest Coastguard operational areas, covering the coastline from Waikahawai Point in the north to Turnagain Point in the south, extending 12 miles offshore and occasionally further, up to 40 miles.
During the temporary deployment of Joe Hawke Rescue, the Hawke’s Bay unit adjusted to operating a vessel with twin outboard engines rather than their usual jet-driven setup. The team responded to various incidents, including assisting a vessel near the Inner Harbour channel and addressing concerns about a kayaker off Marine Parade during strong offshore winds. Training sessions on Labour Weekend enabled the crew to familiarise themselves with the new vessel, followed by operations such as assisting a boat off Waipatiki in challenging 30-knot winds.
On 10th November, Coastguard Hawke’s Bay had an eventful “training session” that quickly turned into a series of rescue operations. As the team departed their base, they received their first call for assistance—a vessel near Flat Rock was experiencing electrical issues. Equipped with a jump-start pack, the crew swiftly resolved the problem and ensured the boat was back on course.
While escorting the first vessel back to Napier, the team was flagged down by another boat facing mechanical troubles. Responding promptly, they provided a tow, bringing the second vessel safely back to shore.
It was reassuring to see that all individuals involved were wearing lifejackets and were Coastguard members, reflecting a strong commitment to safety and preparedness on the water.
The dual-vessel capability allowed Coastguard Hawke’s Bay to conduct a two-vessel search exercise, a rare opportunity for enhanced operational training. Managing the search required careful coordination, including maintaining speed, spacing, and direction using tools like a stopwatch, radar, and radios, while rotating crew through various roles.
On 20th October, Coastguard Hawke’s Bay conducted its major annual Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), bringing together the Hawke’s Bay Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, Surf Callout Squad, Police SAR Squad, Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, and Coastguard Hawke’s Bay. The exercise revolved around a simulated scenario where two individuals failed to return from a diving trip near Pania Reef.
The day began with a briefing session, during which the Surf, Coastguard, and Police Incident Management Teams (IMTs) collaborated to develop a detailed search plan while operational crews prepared for deployment.
A key feature of the exercise was Coastguard’s ability to track the Celia Knowles Rescue and deploy a drift-tracking buoy within the search area. This buoy moves with sea currents and wind, providing real-time data displayed visually in the planning room, shown as a yellow track. This tool allowed the IMT to fine-tune their search strategies dynamically.
The coordination of efforts was enhanced through the use of whiteboards and online shared spreadsheets, enabling teams to record and share critical information, including radio communications and task assignments. This ensured a unified “source of truth” for all parties. Coastguard Hawke’s Bay also connected with a search planner, Trevor, who participated remotely from the South Island via an online meeting room, enabling him to contribute to discussions and decisions while monitoring the search’s progress.
After locating the target vessel—a yellow kayak—the team performed a victim recovery exercise. This included a helicopter extraction, where one team member was retrieved by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter. For those on the ground, the experience of a helicopter extraction was likened to a cold, high-pressure shower combined with intense noise. With the helicopter also tracked in real time, the IMT could monitor its position when it hovered over the Celia Knowles Rescue.
Following the exercise, a debrief was held to review successes and identify areas for improvement. Such evaluations are integral to ensuring Coastguard teams function as a highly coordinated and effective unit during real-life emergencies. The exercise reinforced the importance of continuous improvement and teamwork in search and rescue operations.
On 17th October, Coastguard Hawke’s Bay responded to a call for assistance from a vessel experiencing fuel issues approximately 30 miles northeast of Napier. Departing Napier around 8 pm, the crew navigated through the growing darkness and reached the stranded vessel about an hour and a half later.
The weekend of October 5th and 6th was an eventful one for Coastguard Hawke’s Bay. The action began early on Friday with a call reporting a potential vessel fire off Bayview, which lies a tad north of the city of Napier. The report described black smoke and a flashing white light, prompting an immediate response. Fortunately, this turned out to be a false alarm. However, it served as an important reminder that if you see anything concerning at sea, it’s always better to report it—it’s crucial to check potential dangers rather than risk ignoring a serious situation.
On Saturday evening, the crew responded to a vessel experiencing fuel issues about 15 nautical miles northeast of Napier. They completed the operation and returned to Napier by 9 pm, navigating in the dark.
Sunday morning brought the team’s regular training session, focusing on anchoring sign-offs and search planning. However, their debrief was interrupted by a “pan-pan” distress call from the vessel, Bad Influence. (A “pan-pan” call is an international maritime radio distress signal that indicates an urgent situation on a vessel that does not pose an immediate threat to life or the vessel itself, unlike a “mayday” call, which signals a life-threatening emergency. The term “pan-pan” derives from the French word panne, meaning “breakdown” or “failure.”) A vessel located approximately 2 miles south of Cape Kidnappers, about 16 nautical miles from Napier, had lost steerage. The crew embarked on a five-hour operation, ultimately securing the vessel safely in Napier.
As they returned to base, a curious seagull made a surprise visit, seemingly checking whether they had any fish onboard—a lighthearted moment to close a demanding weekend.
Throughout these operations, Coastguard Hawke’s Bay remained committed to safety and professionalism, with a focus on ongoing training and teamwork.
