Going solo not for newbies

By Nikki Latham

A woman who usually never goes boating without her partner, decided to take her two children out fishing in a small aluminium dinghy 1–2km off Arkles Bay recently. She then discovered the motor wouldn’t start and phoned the Police.

She said she wasn’t able to row ashore because of the 20-knot northerly wind. The family were all wearing life jackets but she was unable to anchor because they had no anchor and they were drifting in the direction of the Weiti River.

When questioned further she finally said she couldn’t row the boat ashore because she was in the water. When asked why she was in the water, the woman said that she was trying to tow the tinny ashore with the kids in it, by swimming and holding a line attached to the boat. She was advised to get back in the boat, but said that she couldn’t because the boat was too small and she was concerned she may tip the boat over.

As the probable fastest means of help, (it takes a little time to page a Coastguard crew out) Police asked Coastguard Radio to do an ‘all stations’ broadcast to see if any boaties in the area could assist. A nearby boatie out on the water listening to his marine VHF radio immediately responded (hence no need to call Coastguard Hibiscus out on this occasion) and he made his way swiftly over to them. In the meantime the woman had managed to climb back into her boat and her rescuer was able to tow them all ashore. The woman reckons she is never going out on the boat without her partner again.

This event reinforces the need for preparation before taking to the water:

1. Have, listen to and know how to use a marine VHF radio, channels 16, 80/82 – it is your fastest means of help. A cellphone is an excellent back up.
2. Always make sure you have an anchor on board.
3. Attending a Coastguard Dayskipper course, which teaches the basics of boating safety, can help avoid many of the on-water predicaments such as this, that people find themselves in.
4. And lastly, despite what you’ve seen in the movies nobody is strong enough to tow even a small boat by swimming and pulling it behind them with people in it!

Information on local Dayskipper courses is available from Coastguard Hibiscus skipper and tutor Barry Norgrove, ph 021 545 177. Additionally there is now an introductory boating safety evening for women called Suddenly in Charge, run by Coastguard Northern Region on 0508 RESCUE or email education@coastguard.org.nz

Published March 2011