The Auckland Police Eagle helicopter had a busy long Labour Weekend, with its crew assisting in multiple Auckland water rescues that could easily have ended in tragedy.
On Saturday evening, a call came through reporting a boat capsized near Kawakawa Bay. Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen of the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre said the two men onboard were spotted in the water without lifejackets and appeared to be in distress.
“Eagle arrived on scene quickly, immediately located the capsized vessel and established that the two men had swum back to a secluded area of shoreline,” said Larsen.
Fortunately, both were unharmed and able to signal their position to rescuers. The senior sergeant described it as a “lucky outcome for both men and for our crews.”
Barely an hour later, Police received another distress call — this time for a missing diver in the Manukau Harbour. The Eagle crew was dispatched again, conducting a shoreline search along the Awhitu Peninsula.
With the tide running out, they expanded the search to include drying mudflats east of the diver’s last known position. Then came a critical sighting.
“After an hour of searching, the pilot saw a light flashing from the water,” said Larsen. “They got overhead and confirmed it was the missing diver.”
The helicopter hovered above, guiding nearby Coastguard vessels to the diver’s position. He was pulled from the water cold but uninjured.
Larsen said the rescue came just in time: “Without locating him before nightfall, the search would have become increasingly difficult and the likelihood of finding him would have decreased.”
A timely safety reminder
The weekend’s double rescue has prompted Police to remind boaties and divers to prepare before heading out. As warmer weather draws more people onto the water, Larsen urged everyone to check their vessels, safety gear, and communication equipment.
“This is a great example of the exceptional work our Eagle crew does day in and day out,” he said. “But it’s also a timely reminder for water users to make sure they are ready before launching.”
Police recommend:
- Inspect your boat or kayak before every trip.
- Test your VHF and waterproof your phone.
- Check the marine forecast and tides.
- Always wear lifejackets and carry flares, extra clothing, and emergency supplies.
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return.
- Carry an EPIRB or PLB if you’ll be out of range.
Anyone in trouble on the water should call 111 immediately to ensure help is dispatched as quickly as possible.
Preparedness saves lives.
Ref: https://www.facebook.com/CountiesManukauPolice/
