Key Takeaways
- Three men were rescued after spending six hours in the water when their boat capsized off Tolaga Bay in Gisborne.
- The men were clinging to a single lifejacket, a bucket, and a petrol can when they were spotted by a commercial fishing vessel.
- A massive search effort was launched, involving the Coastguard, police, the New Zealand Defence Force, and Surf Life Saving’s Gisborne Search and Rescue squad.
- The men were found floating in the water by the NZDF’s P-8 Poseidon at 2:40pm and were brought to shore by the Coastguard.
- The rescue highlights the importance of always wearing a lifejacket, even in calm conditions, as things can go wrong quickly.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident occurred on a morning when three men set out in their 7m aluminium boat in calm conditions around 8am. However, their journey took a turn for the worse when their boat became tangled in a craypot line and quickly capsized. The men were left clinging to a single lifejacket, a bucket, and a petrol can, fighting for their lives in the water. The accident happened off Tolaga Bay in Gisborne, and it would take a massive search effort to locate the trio.
The Search Effort
The search effort was launched after a commercial fishing vessel spotted the upturned hull of the men’s boat around 11am. The police were alerted, and they in turn contacted the Coastguard’s National Operations Centre, requesting Coastguard Gisborne to respond. Three Coastguard volunteers on board the Gisborne Lion Foundation Rescue vessel joined forces with the police, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Eastland Rescue helicopter, and Surf Life Saving’s Gisborne Search and Rescue squad to search for the missing men. The search was a complex and challenging one, with the men’s location unknown and the sea conditions unpredictable.
The Rescue
At 2:40pm, the NZDF’s P-8 Poseidon spotted the trio floating in the water, and the Coastguard was able to bring them to shore. The men were extremely fortunate to have been found alive, and the Coastguard Gisborne skipper, Aaron Boyle, praised the efforts of all the search and rescue services involved. "All the search and rescue services worked really well together," he said. "A big credit goes to the helicopter crew, Surf SAR squad, and the Defence Force. It was a massive effort from all services." The men were met with ambulance services on shore, and one person was transferred to an ambulance in moderate condition.
The Aftermath
The rescue was a testament to the importance of teamwork and coordination between different search and rescue services. The Coastguard Gisborne skipper, Aaron Boyle, said that the men were "so lucky" to have been found alive, and that six hours in the water was a long time, especially with all three people holding onto one lifejacket. The men were bordering on hypothermia and very fatigued, and it could have been a different story if they had not been found in time. The incident highlights the need to always wear a lifejacket, even in calm conditions, as things can go wrong quickly.
Lessons Learned
The rescue serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions when out on the water. The Coastguard emphasized the need to always wear a lifejacket, even in calm conditions, as things can go wrong quickly. The incident also highlights the importance of being prepared for emergencies and having the right equipment on board. The men’s decision to cling to a single lifejacket, a bucket, and a petrol can ultimately saved their lives, but it also underscores the need for better safety measures to be in place. The Coastguard and other search and rescue services will likely use this incident as a learning experience to improve their response to similar emergencies in the future.
Conclusion
The rescue of the three men off Tolaga Bay in Gisborne is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the search and rescue services involved. The incident highlights the importance of safety precautions and the need to always be prepared for emergencies. The men’s lucky escape serves as a reminder of the dangers of the sea and the importance of respecting its power. The Coastguard and other search and rescue services will continue to work together to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, and to ensure that those who venture out on the water are safe and protected.