Fast, small and agile: Rescue Water Craft (RWC)
The unique capabilities of RWC help them fill an important niche in water-based search and rescue and emergency management capability.
RWC or Jet Skis are operated by New Zealand Police, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana and Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
Each of these operators value the ability of the RWC to quickly access places that would be difficult or impossible to reach with other types of vessels. This capability comes from high speed, agility and the absence of a propeller below the waterline. In addition, being able to operate with a crew of only one or two supports quick deployment and efficient coverage of an operational area with fewer people.
We spoke to representatives from each of the agencies and organisations that operate RWC, to understand how they apply the capabilities to their specific environments and situations
Sergeant Jesse Jenden oversees the RWC portfolio at the Tāmaki Makaurau Police Maritime Unit
The Unit first acquired a RWC as a general policing and public engagement tool. “It was ideally suited for policing events in the harbour, such as the America’s Cup. It allowed us to easily get up close to public vessels to talk.”
Of 21 staff at the Unit, 13 are qualified to operate the RWC. “Each has a minimum of Skipper – Restricted Limits ticket, plus we get trained by Surf Life Saving NZ in challenging surf conditions at Piha.”
Police generally operate in pairs with one crew member per RWC. Each vessel is usually fitted with an inflatable rescue sled connected at the rear. “Although we use RWC for patrolling, as a safety vessel for other training and during searches, they really come into their own as a rescue platform. The sled gives us the flexibility to switch roles quickly if we need to.”
The first time the Tāmaki Makaurau Police Maritime Unit RWC was used for search and rescue was during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend Floods in 2023. “We were called to search for a person last seen near a flooded river. Normally only 10 feet wide, the banks were now 400 metres apart with water flowing through trees, fences and other hazards. Operating alongside another RWC for mutual safety and support, we could nip into shallow areas and negotiate the current easily. That operation highlighted the need to have a support vessel when operating in challenging or high risk environments.”
Johnny Banister is Regional Manager – Northern for Coastguard Tautiaki Moana
RWC complement the capability of other Rescue Vessels that Coastguard operates. “Their manoeuvrability, speed and size means we can access a person in moving and breaking water, where we wouldn’t put a larger vessel.”
RWC are operated by nine out of 62 units at Coastguard. Depending on the Unit location, they operate RWC at river bars, surf breaks, as well as further out to sea.
Some units have operated RWC for a long time, whilst others are new to the capability. “Coastguard is using Government investment to ensure that units across the whole organisation have access to standardised equipment, procedures, training and development opportunities. The first-ever Coastguard RWC workshop was held in May at Raglan. Seven units came together to discuss a purpose-built RWC training curriculum, share experiences and test their skills in a challenging environment. Raglan was the perfect location that covered many of the environments we operate in, including a fairly calm harbour, the river bar and the surf zone.”
Coastguard Units always run a crew of two on a RWC. This allows crews to recover an unresponsive patient and manage them during a longer transit back to shore. Alternatively, patients can be transferred to a larger rescue vessel, to provide more comfort and better care.
Max Corboy is National Radio Communications Manager for Surf Life Saving New Zealand, and leads the Otago region Surf SAR Squad
There are around 30 Surf Clubs that operate RWC, which are mainly in the North Island. Nationally, RWC are used for general patrolling, preventative action, event guarding and SAR. “They don’t replace our traditional Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB), they complement the capability. The IRB are much lighter and can be carried by as few as two people and launched on a shore break. RWC can only be launched where a vehicle and trailer can access fairly calm water. Whilst a RWC can manage one or two patients, the IRB can accommodate up to six if needed.”
Crew numbers depend on the task. For patrolling, one person operates the RWC. For rescue, a second crew member with flippers and rescue tube (float) is carried on the inflatable sled. In a mult-patient scenario, the crewperson can be dropped near one person, whilst the RWC driver recovers someone else.
For search tasks, RWC are around twice as fast as an IRB, which allows them to get to the search area quickly.
“In Otago harbour, we work closely with the local Coastguard unit. We can respond very quickly and our agility can help us get in close to allow a patient to leap onto the sled from the rocks. Then we can transfer them to an IRB or Coastguard Rescue Vessel.”
The training and qualification process is rigorous. Candidates must have held an IRB driver qualification for more than 2 years, and be endorsed by their club. After at least 10 hours of training, they sit an exam in waves greater than 1m in height.
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This story was originally published in the December 2024 issue of Link magazine, which is produced by the NZSAR Secretariat for the wider search and rescue sector.