Coastguard Maketu became part of the Coastguard organisation in September 2009. It had its beginnings as Maketu Sea Rescue Inc formed in 2000 with 15 members, an ex IRB rescue boat and a jetski. They had the task of looking after three notorious bars, a large river and a very popular fishing and diving area. In 2008 they raised money and built a 6.2metre rescue craft to assist with sea rescues.
There have been many high profile search and rescue operations in their area over time, The MAFF OFF incident where their boat overturned and 5 people drowned, missing and lost divers off the diving wreck TOMA, The Wait N Sea incident where 2 adults and 3 children where lost at sea for 3 days and just lately the grounding of the RENA on Astrolabe.
