At approximately 8am this morning (Friday, 15 March) Police and Coastguard were notified of an 18ft boat in distress.
The boat had a split hull and was taking on water rapidly about 5 kilometres out to sea off the Opotiki Bar. There were four people on board.
The boat had VHF radio contact with Coastguard but this was in jeopardy of being lost as the boat filled up with water and the battery was becoming submerged.
The safety equipment available to the crew meant they were able to raise the alarm and get an immediate response from the Opotiki Coastguard.
A Whakatane Coastguard Rescue vessel was also deployed to assist the rescue.
The Rescue Coordination Centre NZ was notified and immediately put a distress call out over the emergency marine radio channel 16 to alert and seek assistance from other vessels in the area.
A local boat 'Big Red' was able to respond and managed to get to the distressed vessel and rescue the four crew just prior to it sinking.
This was assisted by the crew of the distressed vessel setting off two flares to attract their attention and pinpoint their own location.
The crew were then transferred to the Opotiki Rescue craft shortly afterwards.
The sea conditions were favourable and calm at the time. According to the skipper of 'Big Red', the boat was full to the gunnels and just about to sink when they got alongside.
Police are full of praise for the skipper and rescued crew. They had several items of safety equipment on board which meant an immediate response and effective rescue. This included all crew having life-jackets and a cell phone, and there was VHF radio and flares on board. They basically took the word 'search' out of 'search and rescue' which is always going to help save your life.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins
Search & Rescue Coordinator, Eastern Bay of Plenty Police