The Water Rescue Squad

The Dunedin Marine SAR Water Rescue Squad is a coordinated squad of active, fit, experienced and highly skilled Rescue Swimmers.
We have a team of ten members active on the squad at all times. This number allows enough members to be available for a call as not all members will be available all the time (i.e. Working / family commitments etc.) Each of our WRS Members carry a pager and these are activated when a SAR Incident / Operation is going on.

Our Rescue Swimmers are Volunteers and receive no compensation for their commitment to keep our Aquatic environment safe, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks of the year.

The water rescue squad has a strong affinity with Surf Life Saving as many of the squad have a strong Surf Life Saving background and involvement; this also ensures a close working relationship with the SLSNZ search and rescue squad (Dunedin based).

Check out some video footage from a training session with Otago Rescue Helicopter and Dunedin MSAR Water Rescue Squad.


​Surf Life Saving NZ - Otago Search and Rescue Squad

The SLSNZ Otago SAR squad is a group of experienced and highly qualified lifeguards who provide after hours emergency response in the marine environment. The squad is activated directly by the Police or Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue via a pager system.

The group is an organised team of lifeguards that adhere to the highest training and operational standards whose commitment to professionalism is paramount. The squad is made up of 10 senior life guards and 3 training members who deliver services such as;

• Rescues at inner city beaches, patrolled and unpatrolled
• Rescues at inshore water ways i.e. harbour, rivers and lakes
• Support to Civil Defence during civil emergencies i.e. flooding etc.
• Support to NZ Police in carrying out recoveries and searches in the aquatic environment
• Plus other taskings as requested by NZ Police or Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue