While the skipper was scuba diving, Wellington boaties ask to be rescued as they blew out to sea

Police Maritime Unit’s tender rescuing the runabout. Photo / NZ Police

About half an hour later, police’s launch vessel, Lady Elizabeth IV, located the small runabout about 6km off the South Coast.

The missing skipper was the only one of the three on the trip who knew how to drive the boat properly, so the two boaties left onboard were unable to drive the boat to safety.

Police’s launch crew were able to use their tender (inflatable boat) to safely put a crew member onto the runabout. This was challenging in the rough conditions but necessary in the circumstances.

Launch Crew member Constable Stephanie Cox took control and drove the runabout back to Owhiro Bay boat ramp on Wellington’s South Coast.

At around 5.30pm, after the first emergency call, the Westpac Rescue helicopter located the missing diver on a “remote shore waving out to them”.

The diver had surfaced after his dive, realised his boat had gone, and managed to swim to shore on the south coast.

The diver was flown back to the Life Flight base at Wellington Airport.

Both boaties and the diver were unharmed but shaken after the experience.

Senior Launch Master Constable Nicko McGregor, said the incident highlights the importance of preparation before going out on the water.

“These two men can consider themselves lucky. These difficult weather conditions were no place for a small runabout to be.”

He said this is a reminder of how quickly situations at sea can change.

“Good preparation and formal training make a real difference when things don’t go to plan on the water.”

When heading out into the water, McGregor’s advice is to:

Check the weather, sometimes the wind and waves can couple to make an unsafe day on the water – especially if you’re not a confident and experienced boatieCarry proper safety equipmentHave at least two forms of communication, and ensure they are put in a waterproof case or pouchEnsure everyone on board understands basic emergency procedures.