|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Police successfully coordinated a water rescue in the Manukau Harbour overnight after a boat carrying three fishermen began taking on water.
The trio had set off from the Māngere Bridge boat ramp and were about two kilometres from Puketūtū Island when their boat sank. They managed to contact Police just after midnight but were unsure of their exact location.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, coordinated by the Police Maritime Unit from the Marine Rescue Centre. Police units responded on land, the Eagle helicopter was deployed overhead, and the Auckland Airport Crash Fire hovercraft was tasked on the water.
All three fishermen were located by Eagle shortly afterwards and were safely taken aboard the rescue hovercraft at around 1.30am.
Sergeant Jesse Jenden, of the Auckland Police Maritime Unit, said the fishermen had done everything right to help ensure a positive outcome.
“We’re happy these fishermen did all the right things when heading out on the water. Anything can happen and you really need to be prepared for that,” Jenden says.
“They ticked all the boxes by having waterproof communication devices, wearing life jackets, listening to instructions from rescuers, and keeping hold of chilly bins for extra flotation if needed.”
Family members said the fishermen were in good spirits once safely back on shore.
Police remind the public that for any water-related emergency, people should always call 111.
