A small group of local boaties who wanted to be able to provide a better safety service for the thousands of New Zealanders who use the Southern Lakes for recreational purposes started the Coastguard Mackenzie Lakes unit in June 2011.

In 2011 Coastguard New Zealand provided our first rescue vessel a 6.8m Naiad on ‘bailment’ and we were able to purchase Mackenzie Lakes Rescue in 2018 at book value. In 2019 we purchased Meridian Rescue in 2019 to enable us to have an asset in Tekapo. In 2021 we sold Mackenzie Lakes Rescue to fund our contribution toward the new Americas Cup rescue vessel and tow vehicle which is being delivered in late 2022. 

It is a challenge with limited population base to recruit and train volunteers, however we continue to deliver services across the many lakes in our operating area.