Kawau Volunteer Coastguard received an urgent callout last night just after 9pm, to a missing diver at Goat Island Marine Reserve. Photo / Kawau Volunteer Coastguard
Kawau Volunteer Coastguard received an urgent callout last night just after 9pm, to a missing diver at Goat Island Marine Reserve. Photo / Kawau Volunteer Coastguard
A diver drifting in the dark waters off Goat Island Marine Reserve has been rescued after going missing for hours late last night.
His rescuers say the diver was in “remarkably good shape” after the ordeal and was able to climb off the rescue craft despite more than threehours in the water.
Police alerted Coastguard after the diver’s car was found at Goat Island, raising concerns he had not returned from a planned night dive.
“He had dived at night before, but we were concerned the diver was out there on his own,” Auckland Police Maritime Unit Sergeant Craig Kennedy said.
Kawau Rescue skipper Thelma Wilson said the Police Eagle helicopter had located the diver north of the island.
She said the diver was spotted swimming on the surface, making no headway.
Kawau Volunteer Coastguard received an urgent callout last night just after 9pm, to a missing diver at Goat Island marine reserve. Photo / Kawau Volunteer Coastguard
The Eagle remained overhead, and the diver flashed his torch to guide rescuers.
The Kawau Coastguard retrieved the diver about 10pm.
“We boarded him via the stern ladder, and the crew did a great job checking him over for hypothermia and exhaustion, however, he was in remarkably good shape for the amount of time he’d been trying to get back to shore.
“He was well equipped and had a good, warm wetsuit,” she said.
The man was returned to his concerned friends, waiting at Leigh Wharf.
Wilson said the rescue took nearly two hours.
The man had been missing for about 90 minutes before rescuers were alerted.
“I think the statistics tell that, when you’ve got divers lost, that sometimes the end isn’t quite as satisfactory as that,” Steinkamp said.
