The region's Coastguard service is aiming to raise $1.3 million-dollars to pay for the fully kitted-out vessel.
Coastguard New Zealand said the Marlborough Coastguard was one of the busiest in the country due to the very high usage of the waterways in the Marlborough Sounds by commercial vessels, boaties and bach owners.
The new vessel would be a specially-designed marine ambulance similar to that of a road ambulance.
