With too many people still having a lax attitude toward water safety, Wellington's Maritime Police Sergeant Richard Kennedy says a frustrating number of call outs could be avoided.
With too many people still having a lax attitude toward water safety, Wellington’s Maritime Police Sergeant Richard Kennedy says a frustrating number of call outs could be avoided.
“While many people are listening to the advice and taking actions that could save their lives, unfortunately, the message isn’t getting through to everyone,” says Kennedy.
“We’re still seeing people out there on the water without life jackets or children not being supervised, so there’s nothing or no one there to help if they get into trouble.”
He says we need to do basic things like keeping an eye on children when they’re on the water, putting a life jacket on, knowing the marine weather forecast, avoiding alcohol while doing water activities, keeping within your limits, and generally treating water safety as a priority.
“Tragedy doesn’t discriminate; if something goes wrong, it could happen before you can react.”
Around midday on 22 January, police received a report that a boat had capsized, and several people were in the water.
The 16-foot boat was launched from Lowry Bay. As the boat got further down the Eastbourne coastline, the sea conditions worsened, forcing the skipper to slow down, which allowed the waves to spill over the stern of the boat.
The skipper decided to return to Lowry Bay, but it capsized as he turned the boat around.
Four adults were thrown clear of the vessel; however, a child was trapped in the cabin space, where there was an air pocket. The adults managed to push the boat towards the shore, where the Police met them.
An officer from the Police’s rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) Hukatai dived under the vessel and rescued the child, while the other occupants and bystanders on the beach were attempting to break the suction of the upturned vessel in the waves.
“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured or worse during this incident,” Kennedy says.
The boat was equipped with life jackets and flares; the child was wearing a life jacket and the adults were in wetsuits, which are a suitable alternative if they are full bodysuits and worn at all times.
“The skipper stated that everything happened so fast. We’re relieved this had a positive outcome, but it could have been so much worse. Treat water safety as your top priority for all water activities and get home safely,” Kennedy says.
Maritime NZ’s Scott Bernie says, “This is a clear example that life jackets save lives.”
Maritime NZ recommends watercraft users undertake courses such as those available through Coastguard to help them prepare for being on the water. Advice is also available at www.saferboating.org.nz(link is external)
“Skippers should leave the shore only if they are adequately prepared to go out on the vessel they are in charge of. Overconfidence can be one of the biggest risks on the water,” says Bernie.
Photography: NZ Police