While the skipper was scuba diving, Wellington boaties ask to be rescued as they blew out to sea

The small runabout that was located by police's launch vessel about 6km off Wellington’s South Coast. Photo / NZ Police

A group of boaties stranded in gale force winds and choppy seas off Wellington’s South Coast were rescued earlier this week while the skipper, who was the only one able to drive the boat, was scuba diving.

At around 4pm on Thursday, Wellington’s police maritime unit responded to an emergency call from two people on board a 5.4m runabout on Wellington’s South Coast.

The boaties were experiencing gale force winds up to 88km/h, and rough waves up to 2m as they were being blown out to sea.

The boaties also reported that the boat owner and skipper, on the trip with them, was scuba diving closer to shore and had not returned.

With the “escalating situation and risk” to the boaties and diver’s lives, police called on emergency support from Life Flight’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Wellington’s Volunteer Coastguard to assist.

Police Maritime Unit's tender rescuing the runabout. Photo / NZ Police

About half an hour later, police’s launch vessel, Lady Elizabeth IV, located the small runabout about 6km off the South Coast.

The missing skipper was the only one of the three on the trip who knew how to drive the boat properly, so the two boaties left onboard were unable to drive the boat to safety.

Police’s launch crew were able to use their tender (inflatable boat) to safely put a crew member onto the runabout. This was challenging in the rough conditions but necessary in the circumstances.

Launch Crew member Constable Stephanie Cox took control and drove the runabout back to Owhiro Bay boat ramp on Wellington’s South Coast.

At around 5.30pm, after the first emergency call, the Westpac Rescue helicopter located the missing diver on a “remote shore waving out to them”.

The diver had surfaced after his dive, realised his boat had gone, and managed to swim to shore on the south coast.

The diver was flown back to the Life Flight base at Wellington Airport.

Both boaties and the diver were unharmed but shaken after the experience.

Senior Launch Master Constable Nicko McGregor, said the incident highlights the importance of preparation before going out on the water.

“These two men can consider themselves lucky. These difficult weather conditions were no place for a small runabout to be.”

He said this is a reminder of how quickly situations at sea can change.

“Good preparation and formal training make a real difference when things don’t go to plan on the water.”

When heading out into the water, McGregor’s advice is to:

• Check the weather, sometimes the wind and waves can couple to make an unsafe day on the water - especially if you’re not a confident and experienced boatie
• Carry proper safety equipment
• Have at least two forms of communication, and ensure they are put in a waterproof case or pouch
• Ensure everyone on board understands basic emergency procedures.