The combined forces of rescue agencies have been praised after three men spent several hours in the ocean with only one lifejacket between them following a fishing boat capsize off Tolaga Bay.
Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre staff described Wednesday’s rescue of the men as a “fantastic” example of rescue agencies working together.
The men in the Tokomaru Bay-based commercial crayfishing boat were in the water for about six hours after the boat went over.
The alarm was raised about 11am when the overturned boat was seen by another commercial fisherman.
Police called in Coastguard and Gisborne’s Surf Life Saving NZ emergency SAR callout squad, the Eastland Rescue Helicopter, commercial operators, and Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) called in the Royal New Zealand Air Force for help.
A P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft was diverted from a training exercise in the Hauraki Gulf to join the search.
RCCNZ took over co-ordination of the rescue about 2pm, directing aircraft and providing search areas for the crews on the water.
They searched a wide area in choppy seas with swells up to a metre high.
Coastguard steered its boat up the coast from Gisborne and three IRBs (inflatable rescue boats) set out from Kaiaua Beach.
At 2.39pm, the aircraft spotted three people in the water and the RCCNZ directed rescuers to their location, which was at Tatara Reef, 3 nautical miles offshore between Kaiaua and Tolaga Bay.
The Coastguard boat picked them up and took them to Tolaga Bay, where they were transferred to IRBs and taken ashore.
“They told us their boat had become tangled in a craypot line and tipped over,” Gisborne Lion Foundation Coastguard skipper Aaron Boyle said.
“It happened about a mile off from Three Points at Tokamapuhia Reef, south of Anaura Bay.
“They had drifted around 2.7 nautical miles from where they capsized when we picked them up.”
Once ashore, the men were flown to Gisborne Hospital by the rescue helicopter around 4pm.
“One was in a state of moderate hypothermic shock, another was a bit shaky and the third was okay,” Boyle said.
“They didn’t have a lot to say when we picked them up. They were in a state of shock. We understand the skipper was kept in hospital overnight for observation.
“These men were extremely fortunate to have survived. Their boat overturned quite suddenly. They didn’t have time to grab anything.
“Six hours in the water is a long time – especially with all three people holding on to one lifejacket.
“Everyone is really elated they were found alive and well. It could have been a different story.”
Boyle said the outcome of the triple drowning fishing tragedy off Mahia in 2024 was in his mind during Wednesday’s rescue drama.
When rescuers took the men to shore, their boat remained upside down on the reef where it had tipped over.
RCCNZ watch leader Alex Taylor said the rescue was a “fantastic example” of agencies and local operators working together.
“Everyone responded quickly and professionally, and that teamwork made all the difference,” Taylor said.
Gisborne SLSC search and rescue squad co-ordinator Justin Martin said the rescue of the men was a “massive” effort.
“The odds were not stacking in their favour,” Martin said. “It was only by chance their boat was seen capsized in the first place. Rescuing them could have taken longer and it was a close enough call for them as it was.”
Boyle said all the search and rescue services worked really well together.
“A big credit goes to the helicopter crew, Surf SAR squad, and the Defence Force. It was a huge effort from all services,” Boyle said.
“While these men were fortunate this time, it reinforces the need to always wear a lifejacket, even in calm conditions as things can go wrong quickly.
“If they had a grab bag with a waterproof VHF radio in it, and flares, they would have been found a lot earlier.”
The Gisborne District Council’s alternate Regional on Scene Commander (ROSC) Phil Nickerson said they were " extremely thankful" the skipper and crew were okay.
“A big mihi to all those involved in the search and rescue operation. It’s a great outcome to have them all returned safely.”
Nickerson told the Gisborne Herald the location of the fishing boat was unknown.
“We’ve spoken to the owner and determined it was a 7.5-metre craft with a 200-horsepower petrol engine.
“It’s estimated that the fuel tank had approximately 125 to 150 litres at the time of the incident.”
Nickerson said there was no indication of any fuel spill.
“Recovery of the vessel and associated costs is the owner’s responsibility,” he said. “The owner is actively trying to locate the vessel and looking to plan a salvage operation.
“We’ll remain in contact and provide support in the event of a spill that has potential to impact the marine or coastal environment.”