There was a cheerful but reflective mood at the ceremony, as members talked excitedly about the much improved technology and facilities they could use to save lives, while remembering those who had not survived.
The ceremony was also a thank-you to the former rescue tender, Wānaka Lakes Rescue, which had an unexpected swan song last week during the retrieval of the body of a missing Korean tourist from Roys Bay.
Waiariki could not be used in that operation as it had not been fully commissioned.
Among the many who spoke at the ceremony was Minaret Station farmer Jonathan Wallis, whose brother Matthew died when his helicopter crashed into Lake Wānaka at Waiariki (Stevenson’s Arm) in July 2018.
"Wānaka has some unique characteristics," he said.
"It is a cold water environment and it is important we do have that level of safety Coastguard offers ... As a result, Lake Wānaka holds the souls of those unlucky, the unfortunate ones who have drowned in the lake or died in the lake, and we should never forget that.
"But it also holds the souls of the people who have been saved from the lake and it holds the souls of people who use it," Mr Wallis said.
"I don’t dwell on the fact my brother died in Stevenson’s Arm, which is the name of the boat, but I am tremendously grateful that the reason why we got him back is because of the people here today, and I know other families feel the same."
Upoko rūnaka of Moeraki David Higgins led the blessing ceremony and karakia for Waiariki.
Anglican minister Damon Plimmer also led prayers in Māori and from Celtic tradition, acknowledging the Māori and Scottish seafarers who weathered great gales and storms in well-built, well-managed small boats.
Also at the ceremony were several "old-timers", who operated as a volunteer marine rescue group under the direction of LandSAR and police, before Wānaka had its official Coastguard unit.
Jim Talboys, Johnny Rogers and Alan McKay recalled how they used to use their own boats in searches.
New Zealand Coastguard chief executive Callum Gilliespie acknowledged the ceremony was overshadowed by last week’s death.
He noted 90 people had died in the water last year and said Coastguard was committed to working with other organisation on water safety education.
Wānaka Lakes Coastguard president Jonathan Walmisley and his team had put a vast amount of effort into getting a new rescue centre and boat and should be proud of their work, Mr Gilliespie said.
At the end of the ceremony, Jonathan Wallis’s twin daughters, Phoebe and Alice (17), were invited to officially christen Waiariki with sparkling wine, before the public and guests toured the new rescue centre.
The former rescue tender has been sold to the Sutton family of Albert Town, who intend to use it for private recreational fishing excursions.
Mr Higgins also blessed the old boat and restored its previous name, Tohorā, or southern right whale.
Mr Walmisley said in the nine years Tohorā operated as a rescue tender, it carried out more than 160 official operations, bringing 230 people to safety, as well as returning those who did not survive to their families.
"We wish her well with her new owner and skipper. Thank you. The Wānaka community owes you much," Mr Walmisley said.
