Our rescue vessels have evolved alongside the unit.
In 1969, we imported a 12 ft 6 in Dunlop inflatable from the United Kingdom. A new 16 ft Sea Rover inflatable followed in 1978, and later we acquired our first rigid-hulled inflatable, an 18 ft Avon.
In 1993, a major fundraising effort enabled us to build our first 6.8 m Naiad rigid-hulled inflatable. This New Zealand-designed vessel proved an excellent sea boat and strengthened our ability to carry out rescues in Foveaux Strait.
In 1998, our crew faced one of the most difficult events in the unit’s history when a Cessna carrying 10 people crash-landed in Foveaux Strait. Riverton Coastguard rescued five survivors and recovered four people who had died. Seven-year-old Russell Chisholm was never found.
The Chisholm family and their friends subsequently raised funds for an 8.5 m Naiad named Russell John Chisholm. Launched in 1999, this vessel served our community for many years.
Our shore facilities have also grown through generous community support. In our early years, the local bowling club provided free use of its shed. In 1980, the Riverton Lions Club built and donated a small boat station on the Jacobs River bank. A new boat station and headquarters followed on the same site in 1990, designed and built largely through the voluntary efforts of Noel Anderson, with a volunteer crew helping at weekends.
During 2024–2025, we marked another major milestone with the addition of a new 10.5 m Naiad rescue vessel named Russell John Chisholm, a new boatshed and a new ramp. Together, these upgrades support our volunteer crews and strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies in Foveaux Strait and surrounding waters.
From our earliest boats to today’s rescue vessel and facilities, Riverton Coastguard has been built on the commitment of volunteers and the generosity of our community.
