Key Takeaways
- A boat carrying a father, his two kids, and a friend capsized on the notorious Raglan Bar on the west coast of New Zealand, highlighting the dangers of bar crossings.
- Despite doing everything right, including taking a bar crossing course and having the right safety equipment, accidents can still happen.
- The father’s actions, including activating his personal locator beacon and keeping his children calm, helped save their lives.
- Maritime safety experts emphasize the importance of preparation, knowledge, and safety equipment when crossing bars.
- The incident highlights the need for boaties to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to stay safe in the water.
Introduction to the Incident
A father, his two kids, and a friend were flung into treacherous waters when their boat capsized on the notorious Raglan Bar last month. The incident occurred on November 1, when Darren Teague, a keen fisherman, took his 12- and 14-year-old children and a friend to go fishing. Despite checking the weather and having the right safety equipment, the boat capsized, putting the lives of all four people at risk.
The Dangers of Bar Crossings
Maritime safety experts say that bars are the most dangerous feature on New Zealand’s coast, costing five people their lives in 2024, and necessitating the rescue of more than twice as many. The build-up of sand at the entrance to a harbour or river can dramatically reduce the depth of the water and increase the height of waves, especially at low tide. The Raglan Bar is one of about 100 in the country, and Teague, who has had a couple of boats and completed several boating courses, including a bar crossing course, is aware of the risks involved.
The Capsizing of the Boat
Teague recalls that the bar was rougher than anticipated as they headed back to the harbour, but he had heard two boats confirm a successful crossing over the radio. He thought it was okay to cross, but in hindsight, he probably should have sat there and watched it a bit longer. As they hit the frothing water on the harbour-side of the bar, the boat fell into a trough, spinning sideways as it nose-dived, and waves crashed over the windscreen and side of the boat. One of the waves washed the kids straight out into the water, and the boat rolled, leaving Teague and his friend trapped.
The Rescue Efforts
The Coastguard and surf lifesavers were alerted to the incident, and a rescue jet ski hit the water within 10 minutes, followed by a second jet ski and a rescue boat. Two senior Raglan lifeguards, who had just arrived at the club for patrol, got a call about an overturned vessel and launched their Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) to speed towards the bar. Teague and his crew were eventually rescued, and the four patients were assessed by Hato Hone St John. They were found to be in a good position, calm, and just a little bit cold and shaken up.
The Importance of Preparation and Safety Equipment
Maritime NZ’s principal advisor recreational craft, Matt Wood, says that Teague’s actions have saved the lives of his children, his friend, and himself. Wood emphasizes the importance of preparation, knowledge, and safety equipment when crossing bars. He says that Teague did everything right, including taking a bar crossing course, having the right safety equipment, and wearing correctly fitted lifejackets. Despite that, things can still go wrong, and it is essential for boaties to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to stay safe in the water.
Lessons Learned and Advice
Teague’s advice for others is simple: take a personal locator beacon, wear a lifejacket, and do up the crutch strap. He also emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings and managing the time of the tide when crossing the bar. The incident has not put him off fishing, and he plans to get another boat. However, it has taught him the importance of being prepared and taking necessary precautions to stay safe in the water. As Wood says, "Be sure before you leave the shore," and always be aware of the potential dangers involved in bar crossings.