Man pulled from water after jumping off Auckland ferry, boat returns to Waiheke Island

A spokesperson from Coastguard said they were aware a person had gone overboard on a ferry from Waiheke this morning. Photo / Supplied.

A man pulled from the water after going overboard on a ferry heading to Auckland this morning intentionally jumped off the vessel, the ferry company has confirmed.

Fullers360 said that a passenger was successfully rescued after sparking an emergency during the morning commuter trip.

“Fullers360 can confirm that a passenger was successfully rescued after jumping overboard whilst travelling from Waiheke Island to Auckland at 7am.

“Our crew immediately initiated standard person-overboard procedure, and search and rescue operations were launched.

“Thanks to the swift response of our crew in low visibility conditions, the passenger was recovered and brought safely back on board the vessel.”

Hato Hone St John said an ambulance and helicopter responded, and the patient was airlifted to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition.

The incident caused the ferry to circle back to Waiheke Island, where police and ambulance staff quickly jumped onboard, and passengers were moved to a different boat.

A Coastguard spokesperson said they were aware of the situation but were not involved in the rescue, and a police vessel had attended the emergency.

The police rescue boat at Waiheke Island after a man fell overboard on a ferry heading to Auckland.

A passenger said there appeared to be a degree of difficulty in getting the man back onboard the packed ferry.

“[A] member of the staff yelled out. ‘Man overboard,” the passenger said.

“We quickly slowed and circled two lifebelts with lights thrown into the water.”

The passengers were told to stay inside the cabin while the rescue operation was under way.

“He seemed calm in water, but [was] probably in shock [because] it would be cold”, the passenger said.

The ferry is heading back to Waiheke Island, and an ambulance is on standby at the island, he said.

A Coastguard spokesperson said they were aware a person had gone overboard on a ferry from Waiheke this morning.

The passenger said he had not experienced this before in 22 years of travelling on the ferry.

“Fullers handled it swiftly and well.”

Police confirmed someone was located after falling in the water, but did not have further details.

More to come.

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