Police slam drunk boaties

Police are sending a strong message to boaties out on Rotorua's lakes this month - don't get boozed.
Detective Sergeant John Wilson of the Rotorua CIB, who is also in charge of local search and rescue operations, expects quite a few call-outs early in the New Year period as locals and visitors swarm to the region's lakes.
He anticipates alcohol to be a factor in some of those call-outs.
"I'm expecting to get a few coastguard jobs," he said.
"The weather is fine and every man and his dog is going out to the lake with a boat."
He warned people to be careful and sensible when on the water and for boat skippers to stay away from alcohol.
"I just want people to take it easy and obey the rules [and] don't drink and boat."
Although it is not illegal to drink while boating, Mr Wilson said people who over-indulged while operating boats and caused incidents, could be charged with "operating a vessel in a manner which endangers life or property".
"If you do take the risk to drink and boat, you increase your chances of having an accident and will face charges."
Mr Wilson said people who were charged could face up to 12 months' jail and/or a $10,000 fine.
Meanwhile, police may replay a hoax mayday call on a local radio station to try and flush out the culprit.
The call about a sinking boat on Lake Rotorua came on Christmas Day when police and coastguard volunteers were already on the lake rescuing a kayaker.
A second search was launched but it became clear the call was a hoax when nothing was found.
Angry the caller wasted rescuers' time and potentially put them and people in genuine need at risk, police are keen to find the hoax caller who Mr Wilson said could escape charges if he "had the good grace to come forward".
If he doesn't come forward but is found, the caller could face criminal charges relating to wasting police time.
Mr Wilson said the hoax call, made by a male who was listening to the marine radio, was not a child and the incident was disappointing for all involved.
"The coastguard are all volunteers and I'm sure they would have rather been with their families instead of out chasing their tails."
The eight people sent out as a result of the hoax call could have been needed to attend another - real - incident but not been able to get there in time, he said.
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