Fundraised jet ski carries out first rescue

The Ruakaka surf lifesaving jet ski, provided by Whangarei's Lions clubs and the Northern Advocate, was used in its first rescue at the weekend. Photo / File

An elderly couple who flipped their kayak at a Northland beach were pretty happy to see the Ruakaka Surf Live Saving team turn up to rescue them.

The couple, in their 60s, were out kayaking at Uretiti Beach on Sunday when they tipped the kayak and fell into the water at about 10.15am.

Chase Cahalane, regional lifeguard supervisor for the Surf Lifesaving Northern Region, said the couple were in the water for about 30 minutes. The police were notified, the IRB launched and the Rescue Water Craft (jet ski) was sent out soon after.

"We found the couple, who were both wearing life jackets. They were making no headway and were just being blown off to sea," he said.

Mr Cahalane said having a RWC meant they arrived quicker than the IRB.

"It allows us to do long range responses for Ruakaka, and Marsden - for those the RWC is perfect. It also goes 100km/h compared to the IRB which goes 50km/h - the IRB is also very stable."

The Northern Advocate joined forces with Whangarei Lions and Surf Life Saving New Zealand to get the $15,000 needed for the potentially life-saving jet ski after two people drowned in Bream Bay last summer.