The man aged in his 20s went swimming at Waikawa Harbour, in the Catlins, at 1.40am.
The man aged in his 20s went swimming at Waikawa Harbour, in the Catlins, at 1.40am.
A Dunedin man who got into trouble after going swimming while intoxicated was ''very lucky'', police say.
Search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Ian Martin said police were called at 1.40am this morning about a man who had gone swimming at Waikawa Harbour, in the Catlins.
A search and rescue operationwas launched, which included the Waikawa Rural Fire brigade, commercial fishers, and a helicopter from Southern Lakes Helicopter.
The man, who was in his 20s, managed to swim ashore on the opposite side of the harbour, and crossed farm land in a remote area. He walked 6km in Progress Valley and found a house from which he reported he was safe, just before 3.30am.
Sgt Martin said the man had been drinking with a group who encouraged him to swim to a moored yacht.
The man and his friends were ''very lucky this story didn't have a different outcome'', Sgt Martin said.
''It is never a good idea to go swimming in unfamiliar water, particularly at night and especially not if you have been drinking. Excessive drinking can affect your decision-making, it's important that everyone takes responsibility for keeping themselves safe,'' he said.
