At approximately 4:30 pm, Police were alerted to the incident, where a boat with three people onboard had overturned on the Raglan Bar and was almost fully submerged. Two people were reported in the water, while a third was trapped beneath the vessel.
Fortunately, Raglan Surf Lifesavers were conducting a training exercise in the vicinity and immediately sprang into action, alongside volunteers from Coastguard Raglan. An inflatable rescue boat (IRB) from the Surf Lifesavers quickly reached the scene and retrieved two individuals from the whitewash.
Meanwhile, a second IRB arrived, and a lifesaver entered the water to assist the third person, who was trapped under the upturned boat. Despite challenging conditions, including waves and entangling fishing lines, the lifesaver managed to cut through the obstruction, access the boat’s front hatch, and pull the trapped person to safety.
The rescued individuals were brought back to shore by Surf Lifesavers, where they received medical attention from St John ambulance staff. All three were transported to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Coastguard Raglan’s Gallagher Rescue later towed the capsized boat back to the wharf.
Authorities commended the efforts of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and Coastguard, stating their swift and skilled actions likely saved the lives of the boat’s occupants. The presence of lifejackets on all three individuals was also a critical factor in the successful rescue.
This incident serves as a timely reminder to boaters about safety on the water as the holiday season approaches. Authorities stress the importance of wearing lifejackets, checking weather forecasts, ensuring proper communication tools are onboard, and informing others of boating plans.
Crossing bars, in particular, requires extra caution. Boaties should assess conditions at and beyond the bar, be aware of navigational hazards, and be prepared for rapid changes in conditions. For those seeking to improve their knowledge, Coastguard offers free bar-crossing awareness courses, including sessions covering the nearby Port Waikato and Manukau bars.
For more details on these courses, visit Coastguard’s Bar Crossing Seminar page.
Police extended their gratitude to Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and Coastguard for their life-saving actions on Sunday.
Source: https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/swift-response-leads-rescue-three-raglan
Attributable to Sergeant Mark Harrison of Waikato Police Search and Rescue
