Fuel and power problems contributed to a busy Sunday for Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard that saw five boats assisted during an 11 hour stint on the water.

Of five vessels assisted, two had power issue and two had no fuel, says Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard board chairman Chris Phillips.

Tauranga coastguard volunteers rescued five boats on Sunday. Photos: Supplied.

The distress calls began soon after midnight with a call to assist a small launch out of fuel and drifting in the harbour. The boat was located and towed to the fuel berth at Sulphur Point where it refuelled and carried on to its mooring. The TECT Rescue was back in its berth at 3am.

A 10am a training run was cut short when TECT was waved down by the two occupants of a stricken 14' tinny that appeared to have engine troubles. The two occupants had been struggling to make repairs to their outboard, so the lads hooked him up under tow, and returned him safely back to the Waikareao Boat ramps, says Chris.

TECT resumed the training mission focussing on close quarter handling and GPS / RADAR refreshers.

Just as they were tying up back at berth, a call came in from a yacht that had grounded up toward Omokoroa. TECT Rescue quickly located the yacht and was able to take advantage of its 600mm draught to get a line aboard the grounded yacht.

She was refloated with a gentle pull, but battery issues meant the yacht was unable to return to the Tauranga Bridge Marina under its own power.

TECT towed the yacht back to the marina, and returned to its Sulphur Point Marina berth about 2pm.

At 3.30pm the crew was again called out this time to a trailer boat near Karewa Island. Those on board were unsure of their position and had no marine VHF because of a flat battery.

TECt Rescue made contact over a patchy cell phone link and located the boat on radar.

Coastguard volunteers on board TECT Rescue supplied a battery jump pack, but no amount of cranking started their outboard. The decision was made to tow the two back to the Waikareao ramps.

During the tow TECT was advised of another launch suffering mechanical difficulties on its return from Motiti Island. The boat was still under its own power, but those on board weren't confident the repairs would last the trip.

After dropping the tow at the ramps, TECT again headed out the harbour entrance at speed to rendezvous with the boat.

TECT Rescue shadowed the launch through the entrance, and up to bridge marina, where the motor stopped at the very last moment.

The team on TECT managed to swiftly engage and secure the launch alongside before the ebb tide took them into a channel marker. TECT was able to keep them tight alongside and get the launch and its seven occupants safely back into their berth.

The day in numbers:

16 The number of people returned home safely with our assistance

11 The number of hours TECT was on the water

Five The number of vessels assisted

292 Radio calls received at HQ

Two The number of fuel related problems

Two The number of battery related problems

The two standout issues coastguard volunteers encountered were fuel and battery.

1) FUEL: Remember the rule of thirds.

Start the trip with enough clean fuel. 1/3 for the journey out there, 1/3 for the return trip, and 1/3 contingency, as you'd be surprised how much more fuel you will use if the weather deteriorates.

2) BATTERY: Consider a dual battery setup.

A dual battery setup allows a suitable backup should the main cranking battery fail. Linking the two can sometimes provide enough power to crank the engines. At the very least, it will generally provide enough reserve power to keep house devices, such as VHF and GPS operating to aid a swift rescue.

With the Christmas holidays approaching, the team at Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard wish all the safest and happiest times on the water. We will be providing a 24/7 radio and rescue service as always, and look forward to receiving the trip reports on VHF CH83.