KEY POINTS:
Today's forecast: Bursts of heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue until this afternoon in Northland. Auckland, Coromandel, Gisborne and Waikato may also get localised heavy downpours.
Gale warnings in place for the Hauraki Gulf from Bream Head to Cape Colville. Gusts of up to 40 knots
expected in some areas.
* * *
Boaties are being urged to take precautions when going out on the water in gales after seven people had to be rescued from four capsized yachts yesterday.
The Coastguard was kept busy with one rescue after another as small yachts struggled to stay afloat in choppy waters around Auckland in the morning.
The first call for help came in at 9.23am when a 3.6m Laser yacht suffered a broken boom in Okahu Bay.
Coastguard duty officer Chris Fransham said the damaged yacht was being dragged towards Ngapipi Bridge. Fearing he would be sucked under the bridge, the lone sailor jumped overboard and started swimming towards the shore. He was picked up by the Coastguard soon after.
"It just shows how quickly things can go wrong, even when you are close to the shore," said Mr Fransham.
The second rescue of the day came less than half an hour later when a 5m yacht, carrying two adults, capsized at Shoal Bay. By the time help arrived the boat had turned over and the mast was stuck in the mud.
That was followed by a similar rescue in the Te Atatu channel where Coastguard found two adults in the water. They had been trying to flip their capsized 4m yacht for 20 minutes before help arrived.
Just before 1pm, another two people were rescued, this time from Greenhithe where they were found sitting on top of their capsized catamaran.
Mr Fransham said everyone who needed rescuing was wearing wetsuits or lifejackets, which increased their chances of survival in the water during the rough conditions.
While the boaties were not in any immediate danger, he said, things could quickly go wrong in the water and it was a reminder to people to be prepared and carry the right equipment.
Most of yesterday's rescues occurred because people had gone out in conditions that were too much for their small yachts. "We have had up to 45 knots which is about 80km/h winds. For small yachts, in the region of 3m to 5m, that is pretty difficult to handle ... it is inevitable that boats are going to capsize in those winds."
MetService said strong winds could be expected around the Hauraki Gulf today, and more rain and thunderstorms in Northland.
Localised downpours are also expected in Auckland, the northern part of the Coromandel and possibly Gisborne and the Waikato.
The rain is expected to weaken by tomorrow, leaving light showers over some parts of the upper North Island.
