Search for overdue boaties, Mana

Police Search and Rescue are disappointed with the continuing level of irresponsibility a few people in water craft continue to display, despite an ongoing comprehensive water safety publicity campaign aimed at increasing the need for preparedness when undertaking any water activity.

Police were notified this morning that 2 males aged 24 and 25 left Titahi Bay to go fishing in a small plastic dinghy on Wednesday evening; they had no lifejackets, no radio, no flares, no oars and no cellphone. Only one was wearing a wetsuit, and both were in cotton clothing.

Another boatie (coincidentally a family member) saw the pair near Green Point at around 8pm on Wednesday evening; other family members were concerned that the pair had not arrived home as they intended on Wednesday night, but it was not until the next morning that Police Search and Rescue were notified they were overdue.

The Westpac helicopter was preparing to undertake a shoreline search by air, and a more comprehensive Search was being planned when one of the overdue men contacted a family member from the shore.

The 20hp outboard motor on the dinghy had failed, and they had drifted shore at about 10pm. They had no means of communicating their predicament, and in the morning, one of the pair walked about 2 hours to the sewer treatment plant; he rang home and asked to be picked up, unaware of the Search preparations that were already underway to find them.

A private boat that belonged to a family friend located the dinghy and the other male at Rock Point and returned both to Titahi Bay later in the morning.

Both men were uncooperative and refused to speak to Police.

Issued By: Team Leader Amanda Jensen