Riverton Coastguard 'Honda 100% reliable'

31-May-2012

Riverton Coastguard was established in 1958 during 54 years of operations Riverton Coastguard have to date owned and operated 6 dedicated rescue vessels all of which have been outboard powered.

The area we cover is Foveaux Strait , Stewart Island and South Fiordland. Our unit consists of 20 volunteers, and not only do we crew and maintain our vessels we also fundraise for the necessary funds to keep our unit afloat.

 Our current vessel “Russell John Chishlom”was launched in 1999. It is a 8.5 m Naiad and was repowered 12 months ago by twin 225 H.P Honda 4 stroke. We have just completed 100 engine hours. For finance reasons Riverton Coastguard is in no position to make any inaccurate decisions when it comes to deciding which type of outboards to use. We re-searched and trialed Honda’s on the Able Tasman Water Taxis operated out of Kaiteriteri. The motors we required would have to be 100% reliable and have the necessary grunt to power our vessel to a speed of no less than 47knots.

 For this reason plus the fact that well known Southland man Steve Gooding of Steve Gooding Marine was also agent and supplier that we decided on Hondas.

 Our volunteer skippers find it extremely difficult to compare these engines to any others that we have owned.

• They are 100% reliable.
• Start first time, everytime.
• Extremely quiet.
• And our Treasurer is very happy because of fuel savings.

Once Steve Gooding completed the 10 hour service check we never required his services until the 100 hour service.

I have been at the sharp end of our rescue vessels for 40 years and can tell you that Honda have out performed any other outboard that we have owned and operated. 

Your Sincerely,

Noel Anderson ( Senior Master).

Riverton Coastguard

Towack Street

PO Box 52

Ph 03 2348 666 - Fax 03 2348 826

Email: riverton.coastguard@xtra.co.nz - www.coastguardsouth.org.nz

      CC22259