A family sightseeing trip to Mokoia Island could have ended in tragedy after a jet boat with four people on board lost power and started sinking.
The incident happened on Lake Rotorua about 4pm yesterday when a 3m jet boat owned by Ngongotaha man JD Smith started taking on water when the on-board water pump failed and the engine cut out.
Rotorua police and the Coastguard were called and had the group was back on dry ground about an hour later.
"It was rough as guts out there, it was like the sea," Mr Smith told The Daily Post.
"But I didn't panic. If I had, everyone would have gotten scared."
Mr Smith said he was well prepared with flares, a fire extinguisher, cellphones and life jackets on board.
Santi Singh was a passenger on the boat, with her sister Summer and her boyfriend.
Santi said although it was "a bit of a worry", she felt her uncle had everything under control.
"We were supposed to go to Mokoia Island but we didn't make it.
"We tried to get the water out [of the boat] with a container, but it wasn't working so well so Uncle called the police," Miss Singh said.
"It definitely was an experience I can take home with me."
The officer in charge of Rotorua Search and Rescue, Detective Sergeant John Wilson, said the situation could have been a lot worse if the boat's owner was not as well prepared as he was.
"From our point of view it was all good.
"They had a means of communication, life jackets, flares - and did not panic.
"It's an encouraging sign that people are doing the right thing on the water.
"You can't cover every eventuality but this was definitely a good example of someone being well equipped when they got into trouble," he said.
Mr Smith said he could not thank the police and Rotorua Coastguard enough after their speedy rescue.
"They were fantastic. They didn't just bring one boat, but two and the police stayed on the phone with us the whole way. Finally, people can hear from someone who came back.
"So remember to play it safe on the lakes this summer," Mr Smith warned other boaties.
Also yesterday, about 5.30pm, a yacht sailing on Lake Tarawera got into trouble after the two people on board sailed into a bay and then could not sail out. Mr Wilson said the couple called for help when their auxiliary motor failed. Another boatie towed them to safety.
Family rescued from boat sinking on choppy lake
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