A jetski without its driver was discovered at Cook Rock, off the top of New Zealand’s South Island, in a case that has drawn a widespread search effort across the Cook Strait. The incident unfolded on Monday morning when the missing jetskier left the Tasman District from Cape Komaru in the Queen Charlotte Sound. He was heading towards Plimmerton Beach in Porirua, north of Wellington, but did not arrive as expected, according to police.
The jetski was located near Cook Rock, which lies approximately 5.3km north-east of Cape Komaru in Marlborough and 5.5km north-north-west of The Brothers. This finding came as police initiated a search and rescue operation in the area after learning that the driver, a retired grandfather and long-time member of the Kapiti Boating Club, was unaccounted for. The jetski itself was found without its driver, prompting immediate concern and the deployment of search resources.
Experienced mariners have weighed in on the challenging conditions in the area. One mariner, with more than 50 years of experience, mentioned that conditions in the Marlborough Sounds on Monday would have posed a significant challenge for a solo jetskier. Yacht owner Jenny Tracey who joined the search efforts commented on the weather, told Radio New Zealand, “The sea was standing up a little bit more than what we expected. It was an awkward chop. We’re in a 48-foot boat and we were rolling round a bit. It was choppy and not ideal conditions for a jet skier.” Waves in the area were reported to be between half a metre and one metre high. However, these relatively modest waves were compounded by strong rips and currents in the seas around Cook Rock and the nearby Brother Islands, making the waters particularly treacherous.
Tracey also noted that off Cape Komaru the sea conditions change due to the water coming out of Queen Charlotte Sound, and the presence of a rip off the Brothers further complicates navigation. “It’s always a tricky bit of water and we try to avoid that if we can,” she added. Even for experienced operators, the natural conditions can quickly become hazardous, especially for someone riding alone on a jetski.
The search for the missing jetskier was launched promptly on Monday. Police vessels, including the Lady Elizabeth IV, along with teams from Marlborough Search and Rescue and Bluebridge Rescue, were all present in the Cook Strait north of the Queen Charlotte Sound. A significant number of Coastguard Marlborough and Mana volunteers joined the effort. These volunteers, some of whom took time off work, scoured the Cook Strait, the Marlborough Sounds, and the Porirua Coast in the days following the disappearance.
Efforts intensified into Monday night when volunteer teams on board Bluebridge Rescue and Port Marlborough Rescue joined the search, working under challenging conditions. The search continued into Tuesday; however, poor weather conditions forced Coastguard Marlborough to shift operations from the Cook Strait to the relative safety of the Marlborough Sounds. The rough weather and resulting poor visibility hampered search efforts further.
Additional support arrived on Tuesday and Wednesday, with more volunteers and resources joining the operation. A Defence Force spokesperson confirmed that a maritime patrol aeroplane and a helicopter were part of the search efforts, while Coastguard Havelock also became involved. Radio New Zealand reported that dozens of coastguard volunteers were assisting police in the ongoing search. The New Zealand Defence Force’s support was also significant, with a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon involved in the search during the morning and early afternoon, and an RNZAF NH90 helicopter scheduled to continue the search later in the day.
This coordinated effort underscores the seriousness with which authorities and volunteers are treating the case, and the challenges posed by both natural conditions and the complexities of the Cook Strait region. As the search continues, updates will be provided as further details become available.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the missing jetskiers family and friends.
