Auckland, 28 April 2024 - At approximately 2:04pm today, a member of the public contacted Coastguard’s Operations Centre after spotting a capsized vessel on the Manukau bar. In response, Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Waiuku volunteers were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Our search aircraft got there quickly, arriving at 2:17 pm, and sent back exact location details to our Operations Centre. They stayed on the scene monitoring the situation until the Police Eagle helicopter arrived and took the lead on the rescue efforts.
Thanks to a quick-thinking individual on a jet ski, one person was rescued and brought safely ashore.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter joined the effort and managed to winch the other person to safety.
Unfortunately, rough conditions made it impossible for volunteers on the rescue vessel 'New Zealand Steel' to recover the upturned vessel.
Coastguard commends the skipper's proactive approach to safety. They logged a trip report, both individuals were wearing lifejackets, and they had an EPRIB onboard, although they were unable to activate it.
“The skipper of the capsized vessel did the right thing by logging a bar crossing trip report with our Operations Centre at 1:44 pm. Per our protocols, if we hadn't heard from them by 2:14 pm, we would have initiated a search and rescue response. Luckily, a member of the public called us first. We're really to the person that raised the alarm, the actions of the skipper, our Coastguard volunteers, and the Police Eagle and Westpac Rescue helicopter, which all led to a quick response and a successful outcome today.”
Coastguard wants to remind all boaties about the importance of logging a trip report when crossing a bar, carrying two forms of waterproof communication including an EPIRB and/or a PLB, and always wearing a lifejacket.
ENDS
