Dramatic rescue off Tawharanui

Observer’s quick call to 111 credited with saving two lives

Two sailors are lucky to be alive after their 32-foot catamaran suddenly capsized off Tawharanui yesterday, sparking a dramatic rescue in blustery conditions involving Police, the Eagle helicopter, and Kawau Rescue.

An alert observer on shore saw the vessel overturn in heavy seas shortly before 11am and immediately phoned 111.

Within minutes, Police coordinated a joint response with Coastguard, deploying Kawau Rescue and the Eagle helicopter to search for survivors.

The helicopter quickly spotted the two people adrift in a small three-metre dinghy, being blown rapidly eastward by 35-knot winds, gusting up to 45 knots. The Eagle circled overhead to guide Kawau Rescue to the pair, who were by then east of Takatu Point and still being pushed out to sea.

Both were pulled aboard safely – cold, frightened and dressed only in the clothes they had been wearing when their catamaran flipped.

“They were extremely cold and shaken – it could easily have ended very differently if that call hadn’t come in so quickly,” a Coastguard spokesperson said.

Once on board, the Coastguard crew retrieved the dinghy and provided the pair with warm, dry clothing, kindly donated by Warkworth Hunting & Fishing and kept on board for just such emergencies.

After the tense recovery, Kawau Rescue made a more sedate trip back to Sandspit Wharf, where ambulance and police teams were waiting to assist the rescued sailors. With their phones, car keys and other belongings still aboard the upturned vessel, the boat’s owner now faces a major clean-up and recovery operation.

Coastguard Kawau praised the teamwork that made the rescue possible.

“Huge thanks to Paul S, Dave, Neale and Glenn for their great work, and to Tractor Al for his support,” they said.

The crew also extended heartfelt thanks to the Police Eagle helicopter team for their crucial aerial coordination and to Warkworth Hunting & Fishing “for those woollies that helped warm up the casualties.”

“This was a textbook example of fast action, teamwork, and community support coming together to save lives,” the Coastguard added.