Trio lucky to survive boat smash

A Rotorua trio are lucky to be alive after their boat hit a Lake Tarawera bank at high speed in the dark.

Police say it's a miracle the boat's occupants weren't killed or seriously injured.

They were navigating the lake at high speed in the pitch dark, using only a Global Positioning System (GPS) to guide their way.

The boat crashed into the bank and was left dangling above the lake edge about 10.30pm on Monday.

Rotorua Lakes Volunteer Coastguard search adviser Lindsay Spence, who was called out to the scene, described the sight of the boat on the bank as "just amazing".

"These people were very, very lucky," Mr Spence said.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson of the Rotorua Police Search and Rescue Squad said the two women and a man, all from Rotorua, were lucky to get mobile phone coverage to call for help.

They spent Monday night in Rotorua Hospital.

The man and one of the women were discharged yesterday and the other woman is believed to still be in hospital with rib injuries.

Mr Wilson said the crash wasn't a good start to the boating season.

"They have relied solely on a GPS system rather than good seamanship.

"Common sense would say that you should navigate by sight rather than using what can only be described as a gizmo. A GPS is an aid to your navigation, it's not something you should rely on."

He wasn't sure how fast the boat was travelling but said the impact was "substantial" and the incident could result in the boat's driver being charged.

"It's something we will need to consider as to what charges are appropriate and whether its a matter for the police, or whether they will be charged under the Maritime Safety Act."

Mr Wilson said he hoped other boaties would learn from the near disaster, particularly as the weather was warming up and the number of boaties out on Rotorua's lakes was on the increase.

"For their troubles, they got to spend the night in hospital and one of them is still there.

"When you look at where the boat has ended up, it could have been worse.

"This is a warning to boaties at the start of summer to make sure they have the right safety gear on board."