Coastguard in temporary shed

Photo/Stuart Munro

Coastguard Wanganui president Kevin McKenna (left) and John Hayes at Mr Hayes' Heads Rd shed where the Coastguard boat and gear are stored while the Wharf St HQ is extended.

Mr Hayes moved his boat to accommodate the larger vessel.

The coastguard headquarters are 40 years old and too small for the growing number of boaties, so the organisation is seeking to raise $640,000 to upgrade its base to ensure it offers a quick, efficient lifesaving operation.

The coastguard boat Energy Direct Rescue and other gear was moved out last weekend.

Having it in the Heads Rd shed would add five minutes at most to rescue times, Mr McKenna said.

Other coastguard gear, including archives, is being stored in Taupo Quay by Leighton Ward of Citi-Box, which sells and hires out shipping containers.

Radio operators are working from their homes while work is done, and all should be able to move back into the expanded Wharf St building in four months' time.

Mr McKenna said neither Mr Hayes nor Mr Ward were charging to store coastguard equipment. "We really, really appreciate it. without people like this in Wanganui we would be buggered."