Coastguard Whangaruru are a small unit with a large operating area. We conduct search and rescue operations in an area from Cape Brett in the north, east to the Poor Knights islands 20 miles offshore, and down to Whananaki in the south. This provides seamless SAR coverage in conjunction with the Tutukaka and Bay of Islands Coastguard units.

Coastguard Whangaruru was formed when several local men lost their lives and it was decided that a local Coastguard unit was required to conduct search and rescue operations to prevent further tragedies from occurring.

The unit is well respected within its community and is crewed by locals keen to expand or continue their maritime training, volunteering their time to make local search and rescue a possibility.