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Two men were rescued in Fiordland after police were alerted to their plight by a communications centre in the Netherlands.
The boaties were on a fishing trip south of Milford Sound when the batteries in their boat failed on Saturday evening and left them stranded.
“The pair wereable to use their iPhone satellite emergency text system to message for help,” Invercargill Police Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Dougall Henderson said.
“Their messages were received by the iPhone Emergency Comms Centre in the Netherlands, who relayed their plight to NZ Police.”
Maritime NZ put out Marine VHF radio broadcasts hourly for any vessels in the area to help but there was no response.
However, a recreational boatie heard the call for help while police and family were arranging a float plane to fly replacement batteries to the stranded men.
Two men were saved after being stranded near Milford Sound. Photo / Nicola Lamb
“He and his three passengers, who were on a day’s fishing trip, went to the pair’s rescue and were able to take the stricken vessel under tow back to Milford Sound, which was approximately 50km away.”
Henderson stressed the importance of being prepared when heading out in the water.
“Although the men were well prepared with life jackets, two forms of communication and had not consumed alcohol, the incident highlights how difficult assistance can be if you have a mechanical failure or emergency situation.”
He said this incident was a timely reminder of the golden rules of boating, particularly in more isolated areas of the country:
Always wear life jackets.
Ensure you have two forms of communication including a personal locator beacon (PLB) or emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
Check the weather forecast.
Alcohol and boating don’t mix.
Ensure you tell someone where you are heading.
Ensure you have an auxiliary motor.
“Police would like to thank the skipper and his crew who gave up their fishing day to help a fellow boatie in need.”
