Far North Coastguard: Four fishers stranded offshore spark 100
Coastguard Houhora volunteers successfully rescued four recreational fishers stranded by fuel issues off the coast of New Zealand. The mission involved a 100-nautical-mile round trip conducted in calm conditions during the night.
Why it matters
Highlights the critical role of volunteer emergency services in remote maritime regions and the importance of vessel safety checks.
Coastguard Houhora volunteers travelled more than 100 nautical miles on a mission to help four stranded recreational fishers. Photo / Coastguard Houhora
A group of boaties stranded by fuel trouble yesterday evening sparked a Coastguard mission covering more than 100 nautical miles.
Four recreational fishers were aboard the trailer boat when it ran into trouble about 12 nautical miles offshore, between Cape Rēinga and the Three Kings Islands.
Coastguard Houhora president Robin Gemmell told the Herald that six volunteers travelled about 50 nautical miles to reach the vessel, with a newly qualified young skipper leading the mission.
The call came in about 6.30pm, and darkness had set in by the time the volunteers reached the stranded boat.
Despite calm conditions, Gemmell said the “isolation and remoteness of the area” was the biggest concern.
“Beautiful, beautiful conditions. A lovely night, saw whales and the sea was calm,” he said.
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