Lyttelton Harbour boat capsize: Five rescued after vessel overturns

Five people out fishing have been rescued after their boat capsized in choppy conditions on Lyttelton Harbour.

Coastguard said the “cold and shaken” group found refuge on rocks until their rescuers arrived.

Yesterday, about 1pm, Coastguard’s National Operations Centre was alerted by police to a vessel taking on water in Little Port Cooper.

Coastguard said the stranded group had taken several important safety precautions, including wearing lifejackets, carrying a phone to call for help, and checking the marine forecast.

“However, conditions on the water were choppy, with closely spaced waves that caused the vessel to capsize quickly while the group was out fishing,” the spokesperson said.

A Coastguard spokesperson said crews found five people stranded on nearby rocks.

Coastguard Sumner volunteers, aboard rescue vessels Blue Arrow and Hamilton Jet Rescue, and Coastguard Canterbury volunteers, aboard Canterbury Rescue, attended the scene.

“The two Coastguard units worked together to retrieve the group and transport them safely to shore,” the spokesperson said.

Coastguard said the volunteers aboard Hamilton Jet Rescue went close to the rocks and helped the people one by one onto the rescue vessel.

They were then transferred to Blue Arrow and Canterbury Rescue.

“All five people were returned safely to shore, where ambulance staff were waiting.

“They were cold and shaken but relieved to be back on land, thanks to the efforts of Coastguard crews,” the spokesperson said.

Five people were rescued after their boat capsized in Little Port Cooper in Lyttelton Harbour. Photo / Coastguard

Coastguard Sumner president Blair Quane said: “There were also other commercial boats that offered assistance, so it was a real team effort”.

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