Euphoria turns to anguish when boat sinks

A day on the water ended on a sour note for four Tauranga men, when their boat was swamped and sunk while anchored off Mauao.

The overturned boat attracted a crowd of onlookers at Pilot Bay yesterday afternoon, as it was towed to shore.

Tauranga Police Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh said the men were aboard the small speedboat Euphoria, anchored in the channel about 30 metres off the rocks, when the accident happened about 3pm.

"For some reason it has been swamped." he said.

"We're not sure if it was a rogue wave, or the wake from another boat.

"As a result of that it's sunk and the four occupants went into the water."

One of the men swam to shore while the others were picked up by a nearby boat.

Passengers aboard the boat Tranquillity helped the men aboard and towed their upturned boat back into Pilot Bay.

"It was great work by the people in the other boat towing the boat back," Mr Hindmarsh said.

Six men from both boats then jumped into the water and swam the boat ashore, where they righted it, bailed out the water and got it on the trailer.

Other boaties returning to the ramp told the Bay of Plenty Times the water was very choppy.

Mr Hindmarsh said it was disappointing to hear the men only appeared to be carrying two lifejackets aboard their boat.

"You should be carrying lifejackets for all on board, preferably wearing them.

"They were lucky in this instance and were picked up quickly."