Hauraki Gulf search: Missing boaties involved in mass search found safe on shore

The boaties at the centre of a mass search in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf during yesterday’s storm have been found safe on shore.

Earlier today, the craft with three people on board was feared missing for more than 24 hours after the skipper issued an emergency call for help.

Despite an hours-long search operation by sea and air, there was no trace of the boat or its occupants.

A police spokesperson said emergency services received the call at 12.58pm yesterday via channel 16 Marine VHF radio.

“Maritime Police led the search with the assistance of a Westpac helicopter and four Coastguard boats.

“Investigations revealed the call originated in the Tamaki Strait area near Motuihe Island.”

The vessels searched an extensive area from Rakino Island to Kawakawa Bay for more than four hours but without success, the police spokesperson said.

“No further information was provided and no further contact was made with the boat.”

Several ground units were also engaged to check boat ramps and slipways, speaking with fishermen along the coastlines but no information was able to substantiate the initial call, the police spokesperson said.

“Maritime Police would like to remind boaties to carry lifejackets at all times, have two forms of communication and that an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is one of the best forms of communication in an emergency.

“Modern EPIRBs and PLBs (personal locator beacons) transmit the persons’ position to emergency services.”

The daily mission’s report by Westpac Helicopter Rescue Trust said the crew were tasked by the police, alongside Coastguard, to the Hauraki Gulf to assist with the search and rescue of a boat reportedly in distress with three persons on board.

“After an extensive search of two hours around Rakino Island, Waiheke Island, Maraetai and Beachlands, there were no sightings of the boat. Westpac 1 then went to refuel and was subsequently stood down.”