A Naiad team for
COASTGUARD
With a standby volunteer crew list of 43 and
seven duty skippers operating out of Gulf
Harbour 24/7 in 2009, Coastguard Hibiscus
decided that their two existing boats really
did need the added support of a new, fast,
modern vessel.
T
control positions
The command and
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NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2013
hey were already operating the 6.9m Sealegs,
and their original Hibiscus Rescue One, and
those two vessels had done them good service.
Sealegs, with its retractable wheels, allowing it to
drive out of the water onto land, is a great little vessel. It is
ideal for transferring equipment and possibly injured people, directly onto land, but powered by a 150hp Evinrude
outboard at sea, it is no rocket ship. Their original Hibiscus
Rescue One, a 8.5m Rayglass Protector ex-Team New
Zealand weather boat from 2003, had had a very hard life
and by 2009 was basically worn out, having reached the end
of her economical service life for the unit. The answer, was
their first new, purpose-built, Naiad.
After raising $450,000 Coastguard Hibiscus went to Blue
Water Boats with their order. They were delivered a brand
new vessel that incorporated the best features of their earlier
boats, and much, much more. An extra metre in overall
length was added, enabling a big increase in workspace,
beam, and vastly improved stability – a vital feature for the
