A new purpose-built storage shed for Maketū Volunteer Coastguard is a step closer, with BayTrust contributing $50,000 to the project.

The new building at 83 Ford Road, beside the Kaituna River, will bring the unit’s rescue vessels and equipment together in one central location for the first time in more than 20 years of operation.

For a volunteer organisation tasked with responding to emergencies across a large and often challenging coastal environment, that change is expected to make a significant difference.

Maketū Volunteer Coastguard treasurer/secretary Geoff Oliver said: “We’re currently storing our gear in multiple locations around Maketū in shipping containers and small sheds”.

“So we’re scattered all around the place. Bringing all our equipment, boat, tractor and jet skis together in one location, close to our main rescue vessel, is going to make it so much easier, particularly in an emergency.”

Reducing response time is a key driver behind the project.

“Right now, if we are struggling to get our main Eastpack Rescue boat over the bar at low tide, we have to get our smaller boat called Kohanui Rescue.

“We have to pull it behind a tractor and drive from Maketū right round to the Kaituna boat ramp at Ford Road. So that’s an extra 20 minutes in an emergency, which you can imagine is quite important.”

By housing vessels, vehicles and equipment together at Ford Road, the new 20m x 15m shed will allow crews to mobilise quickly and efficiently.

Volunteers currently respond to between 40 and 50 callouts each year, ranging from breakdowns to serious emergencies.

Last May, Maketū Coastguard volunteers helped rescue 14 people from a sinking vessel near Motiti Island after it struck rocks – an example of the kind of situation where a fast, co-ordinated response can make a critical difference.

“On a sunny day with good sea conditions, we can get 200 boats going out over the Kaituna, Maketū and Pukehina bars,” Oliver said.

“It’s predicted there will be a population increase of up to 10,000 over the next four years in Pāpāmoa alone.

“There will be a substantial increase in water activities and an exponential increase in Coastguard assistance required as Pāpāmoa and the new Te Tumu area are further developed into housing.”

Maketu Volunteer Coastguard members attend up to 50 callouts a year. Photo / Supplied

The new facility has been designed as a fit-for-purpose base that will support both current operations and future demand.

Alongside improved storage and faster deployment, it will provide a central location for training, education and co-ordination with other emergency services including NZ Police, Hato Hone St John and Fire and Emergency NZ.

BayTrust’s grant forms part of a wider funding effort towards the $1.2 million project, alongside financial support from Coastguard New Zealand, TECT and other funders.

“BayTrust has been great to us over the years … we’re very grateful for their support,” Oliver said.

Construction is expected to start in the coming weeks, and the new facility should be ready by the end of 2026.

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes said the new building will give Coastguard volunteers a clear view of the entrance to the Kaituna River where boats often get into trouble.

He said the unit also monitors the Maketū Estuary entrance and the Pukehina Bar, covering a large geographic area including popular fishing spots, offshore islands and diving reefs.

“Their mission is to support and protect everyone on the water by providing 24/7 maritime rescue services and safety education.

“We know this new boat shed facility will help them provide a faster response service to our community and ultimately save more lives at sea.”

- Content supplied by BayTrust