Coastguard received a report about a capsized vessel and a person in the water about 8:15pm on Saturday, they said. Five Coastguard volunteers launched the Waiariki Rescue boat to find the man shortly after, but it was difficult to pinpoint the man’s reported location.
The crew faced strong winds, a one metre swell and poor visibility as they hunted for him.
“He was dressed in heavy camouflage hunting clothing, which made him difficult to see. When rescuers reached him, he was suffering from hypothermia,” Coastguard said.
“Water temperatures on the lake were around 10 degrees, and it’s believed the man may have been in the water for up to an hour.”
Wanaka Coastguard Skipper Dave Brown said the rescue crew included a doctor, and they went to work warming up straight away.
“Our crew got him out of the water, into warm clothing and blankets, and began treatment straight away before transporting him back to the marina, where he was handed over to ambulance staff,” Brown said.
“He was pretty lucky… He got the best care possible – you couldn’t get any better in those circumstances.
“It was an extremely quick and coordinated rescue. From launch to recovery, the crew performed exceptionally well in difficult conditions.”
Brown said it was vital all boaties wear a lifejacket all the time when on the water, and keep up to date with the weather forecast.
“The key message is simple – always wear a lifejacket. And always check the forecast. The weather wasn’t great, and conditions can change quickly on the lake.”
