Three people have been rescued after spending six hours in the water clinging to a single lifejacket, a bucket and a petrol can when their boat suddenly overturned off Tolaga Bay, Gisborne earlier today.
At 11:18am Police alerted Coastguard’s National Operations Centre of the capsized vessel and requested Coastguard Gisborne to respond. Gisborne’s rescue vessel Gisborne Lion Foundation Rescue launched with three volunteers onboard.
A coordinated search effort was initiated by Police and the Rescue Coordination Centre involving New Zealand Defence Force’s Poseidon P-8, the Eastland Rescue helicopter, and Surf Life Saving’s Gisborne SAR squad. Crews searched an extensive area for several hours.
The P-8 Poseidon spotted the trio floating in the water at 2:40pm and Coastguard Gisborne volunteers retrieved the men and returned them to shore, where ambulance staff were waiting to provide medical treatment.
Coastguard Gisborne Skipper Aaron Boyle said the men were extremely fortunate.
“Their boat overturned quite suddenly. They didn’t have time to grab anything,” he said.
“They are so lucky. Six hours in the water is a long time – especially with all three people holding onto one lifejacket.”
The men had set out in calm conditions around 8:00am when their 24ft aluminium boat became tangled in a craypot line and capsized quickly.
“Everyone is really elated they were found alive and well. It could have been a different story. They were bordering on hypothermia and very fatigued,” said Boyle.
“All the search and rescue services worked really well together. A big credit goes to the helicopter crew, Surf SAR squad, and the Defence Force. It was a massive effort from all services.”
While these men were fortunate this time, it reinforces the need to always wear a lifejacket even in calm conditions as things can go wrong quickly.
