New Coastguard boat launched, centre opened

Published date01 December 2022
The building and boat were blessed in a cheerful but reflective ceremony at Eely Point in Wanaka on Sunday

Members were excited about the much-improved technology and facilities they could use to save lives, but also remembered those who had not survived.

The ceremony was also a thank you to the former rescue tender, Wanaka Lakes Rescue, which had an unexpected swan song last week, during the retrieval of the body of a missing Korean tourist from Roys Bay.

Waiariki could not be used in that operation because it had not been fully commissioned.

Among the many who spoke at the ceremony was Minaret Station farmer Jonathan Wallis, whose brother Matthew died when his helicopter crashed into Lake Wanaka at Waiariki (Stevenson’s Arm) in July 2018.

‘‘Lake Wanaka holds the souls of those unlucky, the unfortunate ones who have drowned in the lake or died in the lake, and we should never forget that,’’ he said.

‘‘But it also holds the souls of the people who have been saved from the lake and it holds the souls of people who use it.

‘‘I don’t dwell on the fact my brother died in Stevenson’s Arm, which is the name of the boat, but I am tremendously grateful that the reason why we got him back is because of the people here today, and I know other families feel the same,’’ Mr Wallis said.

Upoko runaka (tribal leader) of Moeraki David Higgins led the blessing ceremony and karakia for Waiariki.

Anglican minister Damon Plimmer also led prayers and acknowledged the Maori and Scottish seafarers who weathered great gales and storms in small boats.

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