Gisborne Volunteer Coastguard Association (GVCA) is set for a revamp with a $33k grant from Trust Tairāwhiti towards a new trailer. The upgrade means crews can hit the water faster and safer, saving time on each callout.
For nearly 40 years, the GVCA has kept the Tairāwhiti community safe on the water. From Mahia in the south to the East Cape in the north, their highly trained volunteers respond to emergencies at sea, often in challenging conditions.
Founded in 1986 as ‘Gisborne Jet Boat Rescue,’ the GVCA handles emergency missions and actively promotes marine safety along the coast. GVCA volunteers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to assist boaters, divers and fishers in need. They work with police and other government-led search and rescue services to coordinate major marine operations.
Last year alone, GVCA responded to at least 17 rescue missions and operations. With such high service demand, the GVCA requires skilled teamwork and reliable equipment to ensure a quick and safe response. As demand for the service continues to grow, so does the need to upgrade facilities and gear to enable crews to operate confidently and safely.
“Thanks to the generous support of Trust Tairāwhiti, Coastguard Gisborne will soon be equipped with a new rescue vessel trailer - a vital upgrade that ensures our crew can respond quickly and safely, wherever they’re needed. This funding means we’ll continue to be ready for action 24/7 and able to reach more remote parts of our coastline this summer,” says Coastguard Gisborne’s President Aaron Boyle.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the backing that helps our volunteers continue their lifesaving mahi on the water.”
While about 40 per cent of GVCAs funding comes from the government, the rest depends on donations and grants. Earlier this year, the Sunrise Foundation committed to an endowment fund with GVCA to support long-term sustainability, ensuring every donation is invested, protected, and grows in line with inflation.