Pair without lifejackets saved by Coastguard Titirangi

Coastguard Titirangi volunteers have prevented another possible tragedy on the Manukau Harbour, rescuing two people without lifejackets following a capsize on Monday night. Three volunteers from Coastguard Titirangi onboard Lenses Online Rescue were on-route to cross the Manukau Bar for skipper training, when a member of the public alerted them to a dingy of concern with two onboard.

Volunteers departed French Bay around 1915 and within a couple of minutes the dingy under observation had capsized in the changing tides - with both people in the water not wearing lifejackets. Lenses Online Rescue raced to the scene within minutes and rescued both from the water - cold, but uninjured. In fading light, Coastguard Titirangi then took the pair and the overturned dingy onboard back to French Bay safe and well.

Coastguard Titirangi skipper Conor Carr: "With no lifejackets, communication or lights, it was fortunate that we were on the water for training when they capsized. Given the significant number of boating-related incidents across not only Manukau Harbour, but New Zealand recently, we hope this serves as a timely reminder before the start of summer that everyone needs to wear a fit-for-purpose lifejacket - they have never ruined a day on the water."

ENDS

For more information, contact:
Ben Parsons
Coastguard New Zealand Senior Communications Advisor
[email protected]