A recent Northland Police search and rescue training exercise simulated almost exactly the scenario crews would face for real early this morning in Wairoa Bay, and according to Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, Northland Police’s Search and Rescue lead, that preparation made all the difference.
“Undergoing that training paid dividends during this rescue,” he said.
From the moment Police received the first report at 6.45am to the moment the last of three missing men was pulled to safety, less than two hours passed. It was enough time, just, to bring all three men home alive.
The response drew on a wide network of agencies, with Coastguard Bay of Islands units, the Auckland-based Heli Med helicopter, Far North LandSAR, Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Maritime and Northern Rescue all mobilised as part of a coordinated operation. Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter Chief Aircrew Officer Ati Wynyard described it as another example of agencies pulling together to head off potential tragedy.
The incident began around 3am, when a large wave struck a 12-foot aluminium dinghy carrying three men on a late-night fishing trip, causing it to rapidly fill with water and sink. None of the men were wearing life jackets. One managed to swim to shore near the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, but his two crewmates were left unaccounted for, last seen clinging to a chilly bin somewhere out in the bay. It would be nearly three and a half hours before the survivor raised the alarm.
Once the call came in, the search moved quickly. Shortly after 8am, an officer who had borrowed a motorbike from Bayleys Farm to run shoreline checks found one of the missing men, cold but uninjured. Less than an hour later, Heli Med located the third man on rocks near Bayleys Farm. He was winched into the helicopter and taken for treatment, where he was assessed with minor injuries.
Detective Sergeant Overton was unequivocal about how close it came. “I cannot stress just how incredibly lucky these three men are. This situation could have had a dire outcome and we’re thankful we’ve been able to return these men back to their loved ones.”
He also pointed to a sobering statistic: most recreational boating deaths occur close to shore in small craft. His message to boaties was clear, check the marine forecast, wear a life jacket, carry two waterproof ways to call for help, and always tell someone where you are going. “We cannot say it enough.”
The details were shared by Northland Police via Facebook at 1.08pm today.
