The National Contingency is an agreement with the Government to always have personnel, ships and aircraft ready to deploy after a request from the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre.

Our P-3K2 Orion and C-130 Hercules aircraft can fly over vast areas of ocean to get to vessels in trouble or look for lost ships and boats. They are equipped to deploy survival equipment including a life raft, a communication device, water and food.

 Our NH90 helicopters are often called on to help for missing trampers in New Zealand’s lush and dense bush, on snow-capped mountains, from flooded waters or from rocky cliff sides. The helicopters’ primary role is to fly search and rescue teams in and out of the search areas. The combination of payload and fuel endurance gives the search and rescue controller the ability to move or rotate their teams at a high pace.

In coastal waters, particularly in the vicinity of Devonport Naval Base, Royal New Zealand Navy vessels can be tasked to assist with MayDay calls from yachts or vessels in distress. Navy vessels can back up the Air Force, once a vessel in distress is located.