Boaties lucky to survive

Glenn and Janette Andrews' dinghy was badly smashed in a collision with a 12m launch.

Fishing couple jump for their lives as launch crushes their tin boat

An idyllic birthday fishing trip to Waiheke Island nearly turned to disaster for a couple who leaped for their lives as a 12m launch crushed their dinghy.

Glenn and Janette Andrews had just caught their first kingfish when they noticed the Itsu, a Riveria style launch allegedly captained by financier John Balgarnie, 65, coming towards them at full speed.

Glenn, 52, a superyacht builder, grabbed his wife and hauled her over the back of the boat, moments before their dinghy was "crushed like a tin can" and chewed up by the launch's propellers.

The Aucklander suffered three broken vertebrae and has been unable to work, and his wife sustained a broken pelvis and spent eight days in hospital.

Janette had been celebrating her 44th birthday at Sergeants Channel, near Waiheke Island, in March.

"I had just caught my first kingfish, checked the size and I was about to take the photo," she said.

Glenn added he saw "this thing bearing down on us, from about 50m away. I was wearing a big yellow raincoat and I stood up and waved and waved and shouted.

"Everyone else nearby was staring at me but this boat did not slow up or change course.

"I grabbed [Janette] and hauled her over to the back of the boat.

"The noise was like a car being crushed with a rotary hammer. I am an engineer and have worked on making car-crushing machines, this was exactly like it."

Janette said: "Next thing I know I was popping up on the other side of the boat, still alive."

The boat was so wrecked Auckland Maritime Police has been using it as an educational display. The outboard motor was also damaged beyond repair.

"We lost our keys, our cellphones, we lost so much and we have had to replace it all bit by bit," Janette said. "We still can't go out fishing, we haven't got a boat."

Auckland Police Maritime Unit senior constable Garry Larsen said the crash could have been much worse.

"It was a serious incident which could have resulted in death. Look out for other craft, the message is clear," Larsen said. "This could have happened to anyone."

Former Fay Richwhite chief financial officer Balgarnie, 65, has been charged with operating the launch causing unnecessary danger to any person or property.

The Andrews family are seeking compensation for the boat, other lost items, and loss of income.

Balgarnie's lawyer, Matthew Flynn, did not return calls. Balgarnie's family also refused to comment.

He is due to appear for a case review on August 7 at the Auckland District Court.