The Maketu Coastguard officially has a new rescue boat.

The boat named ‘Kohinui' had dozens of people attending the launching ceremony at 10am this morning, to get a closer look at the new jet boat.

Maketu Coastguard president Shane Beech says the new boat is a highlight.

'This is a new build, a new boat, that we basically started about a year ago fundraising towards it.”

'We identified the need for this new boat, it is replacing one of our smaller boats. It is going to have all the latest electronics, safety equipment and bits and pieces in it that is required to do search and rescue and help boats that are in trouble.”

The new search and rescue vessel is a jet boat meaning it is capable of getting over shallow sand bars and up rivers, making it more of a practical rescue boat. It is also equipped with night and thermal vision for doing night-time searches.

The boat is also capable of holding around 12 people with a minimum of two people crewing.

Shane says a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes and to get the funds to be able to build the new boat.