The Grey river bar is notorious and has been the cause of a number of vessels capsizing with loss of life. In 1987 a small group of volunteers joined together to form ‘The West Coast Buller Marine Search and Rescue and Volunteer Coastguard Inc.' and in 2006 we changed our name to Coastguard West Coast (wonder why!). 

Our first vessel was an old RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute) lifeboat imported from the UK. In 2009 Coastguard New Zealand, with funding from Lottery Grants Board, purchased a 12m Protector vessel which had greater speed and ability. This was replaced in 2016 with a 14.6m Naiad vessel purchased from Coastguard Auckland. 

In recognition of the support of Talley's who provide fuel to power our vessels they are all re-named ‘Ivan Talley Rescue’. We operate from the Talley Marine Rescue Centre which we share with our local Surf Life Saving club.