"We welcome a debate on this - strategically, we need to be in the best location for responding and giving the best service," Tim Francis said of the 20-strong crew, who respond from a temporary base at Frankton Marina.
Operational since 2008, the coastguard - which has no physical headquarters - is on call 24 hours a day, year round and employs an 8.5m Naiad inflatable jet-boat, which was given by sponsor Queenstown Airport CorporationThe coastguard still has a live application with the Queenstown Lakes District Council property committee requesting a boat shed and headquarters in central Park St, on the Frankton side of the botanical gardens.
However, the idea is in limbo after local residents objected to the proposal.
"We've identified Park St as the best option ... All our cards are on the table. All we need is the required finance, community support and participation," Mr Francis said.
"We're a community-based organisation and we don't want to pick a fight with the community. Options for housing the boat included mooring, a jetty, boat shed or a system similar to the current land-based launch. Despite logistical problems associated with parking and issues of discretion around moving bodies from the residential street, Park St would "put us central to all the activities on the lake - no doubt about that," he said.
The issue of the coastguard's response times and location has been a hot topic among commercial boat operators based at Queenstown Wharf, while the speed and efficiency of Monday night's search and rescue operation - ultimately led by police - has also been questioned.
Police, the coastguard, council harbourmaster Marty Black and many commercial operators have agreed a meeting should be convened within the next two weeks to further discuss ways to integrate all parties in a bid to streamline the coastguard operation.
Mr Francis had high praise for the local expertise of operators and urged them to share that knowledge by training with the volunteers at their weekly sessions.
