Boaties and windsurfers are being urged to avoid heading out on the water this Easter weekend as MetService forecasts heavy rain, strong winds and swells. Photo / SunLive
Boaties and windsurfers are being urged to avoid heading out on the water this Easter weekend as MetService forecasts heavy rain, strong winds and swells. Photo / SunLive
A windsurfer has been rescued by Coastguard on Tauranga Harbour this evening, and boaties are being urged to avoid heading out on the water.
“At approximately 6pm this evening, Coastguard was contacted by a member of the public who had spotted a windsurfer in difficulty near Otūmoetai channel, off Beach Road,” said a Coastguard Tauranga spokesperson.
Coastguard said within minutes, 14 of their Tauranga volunteers training on their two rescue vessels nearby were on the scene and found the windsurfer.
“The conditions were choppy with strong winds. The crew took the windsurfer, who thankfully had no injuries, and their gear safely back to shore.”
The windsurfer used a mobile phone which helped Coastguard locate him.
“The windsurfer was fatigued due to the strong winds and being unable to get back onto his board, but luckily he was carrying a water-proofed mobile phone and was able to make a call to Coastguard himself while he was stuck out there,” Coastguard said.
“Our crew spotted him shining his phone’s torch out on the water.”
Warning to boaties and windsurfers as weather conditions worsen
Boaties in the region are asked to consider cancelling their on-water plans this Easter weekend because of the predicted impacts of Cyclone Tam.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said the MetService forecast for the region of heavy rain, strong winds and swells of up to 5m would create dangerous conditions for boaties.
“Conditions on the water heading into the long weekend will be rough, uncomfortable and potentially hazardous.
“We encourage skippers to check both the latest marine forecast and the weather conditions before carefully considering whether they head out or not.”
Bay of Plenty Regional Council harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters says the forecast weather this Easter risks creating dangerous conditions for boaties. Photo / Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Peters said safe boating practices are vital when faced with more challenging weather.
“We want everyone to enjoy their Easter holiday but ask that boaties make the right decision to ensure that they, and those they are responsible for, remain safe.”
Coastguard advises all boaties, windsurfers, kitesurfers, kayakers and paddleboarders to avoid the water at all costs over the next few days while Cyclone Tam unfolds.
