Water Rescues in Northland District, 11:00pm 3 Jan 2009

The Police and other services have been busy tonight dealing with six water rescue incidents. These have ranged from persons clinging to an upturned catamaran, fisherman trapped by the tide and a flare sighting. They have all been resolved with the exception of two, which are outstanding. The first of these involves a person overboard from a boat in the Bottle Top Bay area. There was a delay in the notification but a search was conducted by Westpac Rescue and the Police Search and Rescue Team. The search has been stood down at this stage after signs were found that would indicate the person may have made it to shore. Further enquiries will be conducted later today. The second outstanding matter involves a vessel with mechanical problems that has two adults and a nine year old child onboard. Communication delays hindered an aerial search earlier in the evening. There is presently a coastguard vessel continuing the search hoping to locate the missing boat on radar. More updat!
es will be posted as when information is available.
Issued By: Inspector Barry Smalley